The Arrow Observer AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown, Friday, Oct 25, 1872.

Lake County Press, Issue 73, 25 October 1872, Page 2

The Arrow Observer AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown, Friday, Oct 25, 1872.

Business men at Arrowtovrn and Queenstown appear to be somewhat uneasy at the consequences of a possible migration of the population in the direction of Port Darwin. At present we see no reason to fear. Some score or so of miners have started for the new held, but that is no exodus ; all thereat is talk —the usual disturbing element among a goldfields population, when ever a new rush is on the tapis. The accounts from Port Darwin by no means justify a rush there. Payable quartz, or what is presumedly so, has been found, but there has been no crushing of quantities yet; nor is there any proof of the existence of alluvial gold sufficient to pay ; everything i» ; still uncertain about this field, and until the wet season is over, which will be about March next, there is no likelihood of discoveries being made travelling during the tropical rains, as we have before pointed out, being utterly impossible. Miners ought therefore for the present to be content to wait for reliable news, and remain where they know gold does exist in preference to going a distance for uncertainty. In any case there need be no hurry ; Northern Australia is comparatively unknown at present, and should it realise the expectations formed of it and become a vast goldfield, there will be sufficient scope for any number of population who may be dissatisfied with their present situation and prospects. Turning again to the VVakatip—whal would be the possible consequences of such a rush ? is a question worthy some consideration A loss of population at present would be very inconvenient to traders and farmers; but the inconvenience would only be temporary, as the places of those who left would soon be filled up. No Kuropean constitution can-long sustain a life of laborious exin the tropics, and if men continue. the business of goldmining, they must seek cooler climes, and doubtless large numbers will return here. Those from amongst us who once experience the heat and other annoyances of the Darwin will more thoroughly appreciate the cool biacing air of the Wakalip. But even without return diggers, plenty will rush in to supply the places of those who have left. Where good wages arc to be earned, accompanied with the comforts of civilised life, there will always be a population. The district soon recovered from the effects of the rush to the West Coast; and if it did so when there was no settled population and when afar greater number left than are likely to be a lured to the Northern Territory even by the most glowing reports, no very great or permanent injury can result to it now. With respect to New Zealand generally, we are of opinion that the effect of a rush to Port Darwin would be beneficial, and be participated in by all the dwellers on the seaboard. A large population settled in Northern Australia would consume a vast amount of cereal'produce. Nothing in the shape of grain could be grown there, except perhaps a little maize in the cooler regions, and to supply the demand the producing powers of southern Australia and New Zealand would be severely taxed. Our farmers have been for a very long time growing corn at prices the reverse of remunerative, and a market in the southern hemisphere would doubtless bring about a season of great prosperity. A few days sail from New Zealand ports will soon bringvessels into the “ trades,” which will quickly waft them to the new K1 Dorado ; and we have no doubt that the voyage from this Colony will be made by sailing vessels almost as quickly and cheaply as from Australian ports. A large amount of the gold obtained at the Darwin would therefore indiree tiy find its way to New Zealand. Those who might leave here could not hope to stay at the new field—their residence can only be temporary, and they in most cases would assuredly return to spend or invest their earnings. Those who left South Australia and New South Wales in the early days of the gold discoveries in Victoria as a rule returned, and invested their gains in laud and in making homes for their families ; and the same would be the result here in the present case. In the success of the goldfields of Northern Australia, therefore, we have much to hope for ; they may possibly produce a temporary inconvenience, hut the result must prove in the end a permanent good.

are following ui thi ir pres-nt *• sleepyholjow’V style.; but one day ,or other tliere will come a warning more powerful than any we can note, and one which there will be no means of disregarding ; and, when too late, they will sadly regret that they bad not in lime taken precautions to avert the calamity. It is really wonderful how reckless people become, simply for the reason they have had an immunity from fire for a number of years. Each resident is confident in his own carefulness to prevent his premises catching fire ; and relies on his neighbor doing likewise ; while the slightest unforeseen accident may lay the town in ashes. When we find a town situated as is Queenstown —on the margin of a large lake, and having e plentiful stream of water running through its very streets —in danger of a general conflagration from portions of detached burning buildings flying about, what result could be looked for in Arrowtown in case of fire, where the erections are all huddled together, and no water available ? Why, nothing in the least degree could stay the devouring flames. As a rule, there is hardly sufficient water in reserve to extinguish a chimney on fire, much less subdue a burning building; and were plenty of water at band.it would simply be wasted for want of an organisation to regulate or control its use. These are truths patent to the most unthinking man in the community; and we put it to the townspeople of Arrow if it is not a discredit—nay, a disgrace—to them to have such a state of things existing. Really, the ways of the Arrow people are to us past finding out. They will do nothing to elevate themselves in things municipal oi otherwise advantageous; but depend solely upon their Parliamentary represemaiives to have a few pounds doled out to them annually, and when that is obtained they relapse into a state of lethargy, content to wait till the next year’s Estimates are framed. And this does uot arise from any lack of men able and willing to improve matters; but they naturally object to work for the public good if the people, instead of aiding and supporting them, rather retard any action which might be taken, and look to their own selfish ends rather than to the benefit of the community as a whole. There are numerous instances we could record in proof of this (eeling, but we refrain in the present article. The question more immediately under consideration is as to what means can be adopted to prevent "he spiead of fire in the town, in case of such breaking out. To accomplisdi this, it is imperalively necessary that we should he provided with a more plentiful and permanent supply of walei than at present —dependent as we are upon the caprice of a private race company, who, even as it is. barely supply sufficient fur domestic purposes —and that generally of a most deleterious quality. Practical men assert that a plentiful stream of pure water could be brought into town at a cost of little over £IOO, and that with sufficient pressure to command the whole township. If this be so, steps should be at taken to have it brought in, and to this end we have no doubt money would he liberally subscribed, while Government might be induced to grant a small suosidy. At present a sum of over £3 a year is paid by families using the race water; and were this, or a somewhat less, charge made for the water brought in as suggested, it would not take long to pay the capital invested, and would leave free in future years a necessary element of health and safety at present much required.