BOMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, QUEENSTOWN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 1, 2 May 1863, Page 5

BOMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, QUEENSTOWN.

A meeting of gentlemen favorable to the buildin" of a Roman Catholw Chapel in this towuship, was held at Mr. Ryan's, the Union Hotel, on Monday lust. Mr. Powell was called to the chair. The minutes of the lust meeting were read and confirmed. The deputation that had been elected at the previous mating, consisting of Messrs. Powell. Ryan, and Burke, for the purpose of waiting on the Resident Vlagistrate to solicit from him a grant of land for the chapel, reported that they had done so, and that gentleman had in a very c urteous manner granted the request of the deputation. The chapel is to be built on a terrace c-Ijsc to the camp, and opposite Rees-street. It was proposed, seconded, an l unanimously agreed to, that a building of 20 feet by 40 be erected, covered with zinc, 8 feet walls, and 12 feet rafters, 2 It. 6 in. apart; and that an advertisement be inserted in the Wakatip.Ma.il calling for tenders for the performance of the work—to be sent in by twelve o'clock, noon, on Saturday, May 9th. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting was adjourned for a week. !

PUBLIC MEETING. A met 1 ting was held in Bracken's Ho'el, the Queens Anns, on Wednesday evening, for the purpose (as slated in the notice calling the meeting) of taking into consideration several matters connected with the prosperity of this township The room was well filled, and an orderly and temperate spirit generally pervaded the proccedi gs It was proposed ai i set?on;led that Mr. Keet take the chair, which was unanimously agreed to. *" Mr Rees said—This meeting has been tailed by the Queenstown C mraittee for the {rnrpose of taking into consideration the folowing resoluti ns, which 1 will read and submit to you for discussion:— That this meeting request the Queenstown Committee to memorialize the Government to point out—1. The desirability of having a road made to Frankton, connecting with the Arrow and the road to the 1' unstan. 2. The inefficiency of the present postal arrangements. 3 T.u- man ur in which this township has ti «tirvvvean I ihx; utter niisuitubleness f ;i*. *VV V. - " : v 1. .» uu: iiuss-- s ;\v i is in al reap cts the he.,t t'r i x - Ci'i.p bulliags, the llof ;int t-uir erection at FrankL - »oi w l>o[h a 1 to the Government aud a "v 1 drawback to t!ii* important district. 5. /fhat the road to the Shotover clanns the most important an'l immediate attention. 6. That a copy of this risolution.with rxplana- - tions, be f >rwarded to iiis Honor the Super-intend-nt by the Honorary S.cretary *,( ti«e Committee. \VufTre2ird to lie with which I think the filth might with advantage be incorporated, a * they both emliody the same question—namely, the roads— I may remark that a road to the Dunstan has been lately p oposcd along the side of the Kaw.irau. I regard the formation of a good road as "highly essential to the prosperity of this district. As the Molyn< ux, I firmly believe will not be so low as la-t year for many years te co i»e. so that the numbers who are waiting for the fall of the liver will be to a certain extent disappointed I think that if there were a good road to the Dunstan in all probability tin- miners would trv their luek at the Lake ;

wher-.as in tlw* alwnec of such a means of communication they would l>e compelled to go to Dtiuedin. thus entadiug a loss upon the district in general, and Queenstown in particular. ' It seems th • road is the suggestion of Mr. Wood, who wrote s«»mc time hack to theXj*»vcrnment on the subject, the result of which in that Mr.liianuigan has arrived here with full powers, and who has already entered into a contract with Messrs. Hill & Co. for the formation of a road between Frank ton and the Dunstan. I believe I am right in laying that the Government is quite prepared in the event of the" people of Queenstown desiring a road between ths and Frankton to meet their demands as nearly as possible, and will give towards that object an eq»ial amount to that which might be collected by $ subscription among the inhabitants. I see gentlemen in this room at present —half-a-dozen of them—who I feel sure will give £2O each, and I have no doubt £SOO might be Very readily subscribed, which with that advanced by the Government, would go a good way towards forming the road. At present it is almost an imj>ossibi ity to get connection with Frankton at all, even by boat T \ and I think it not a prop r place for a rjJuPL resolution I heartily coincide * -a, an i I shall t c glad to see stej>s taken in the natter. Letter* have been delayed week

after week, and the sooner the Government is memorialised the better. The third—the manner in which the towni ship of Queenstown has been surveyed—touches myself, and concerning which I shall therefore m ike no remark. You are aware perhaps that a lawsuit between myself and the Government is pending: and in the event ot' my claim being allowed I merelv wish to say that I shall not interfere with the holders of business licences during the term of such licence; but at the expiration thereof I should lease them their sites—the only difference between niyselt and the Government being that I should lease the land and the Government would sell it. The Government build* injrs shall remain intact. i We now come to the fourth resolution, and

I agree with your C-immittee that Queens* town is the best site for the camp buildings; the only point on which I disagree with you being that part of the resolution relating to the Hospital, which I think would be better situated at Frankton. Before, when the Arrow was a part of this district, the Camp buildings would be better situated at Frankton, which is centrally situated between this township and the Arrow ; but now that the Arrow has a Commissioner an 1 a police court of its own, there can be n/doubt Queenstown offers greater advantages. But as there is to be only one hospital, the same reason would induce me to select Frankton as its site. If the diggings, as I believe they will as the year advances, incline towards the head of the Lake, Frankton will be merely a depot for the Arrow, while Queenstown will be the central township and half-way place between Kingston and the head of the Lake. I was not aware till twenty minutes ago that this meeting would be held, or I should have spoken ra »re fully on the subject. A person, wuosc name we Could not ascer-

tain, here said—"What power has Brannigan to give the c ontract for the road ? I thought he was a Police Commissioner." Mr Kees explained that Mr. Hill's tender was accepted l)efore Mr. Brannigan came up. That gentleman was to ascertain the ability of the tenderer to perform the work, and was vested with full powers to that end. Mr. Bradshaw—Have you been authorised to say if the Government will subsidize a road to Frankton ? Mr. Rees—No. j Mr. Brads haw —If the Government have agreed to form roads for the benefit cf Frank- ! ton, without calling upm the inhabitants, why should the inhabitants of Queenstown, which is a more central and populous township, be called upon to subscribe a penny ? The Government receive more revenue through Queenstown than from any other portion of the Province, and they are entitled to have their convenience consulted in some degree. Mr. Walker—But Frankton is already proclaimed a Government township. Mr. C.vssius said that two months ago a meeting was called tor a similar purpose to that at present being in * forcible manner to the Government their grievances; but very little hid >incc then been done to remedy them. Now, however, that a change had taken place in the chief officer of the Government, he considered it was a good opportunity for reviving the question: and though the season was now too far advanced to allow of any great improvement in respect to the roads, still it was •' het*er late than never." Roads between both Frankton ami the Shotover were imperatively needed—the latter especially. The Shotover was the most important portion of these diggings; and if the present track were

not improved immediately it would be soon impassable, and if half the miners were not driven away bv the high rates of provisions the trade would be diverted from Queenstown. Frankton was almost as important. Although the Government had made up their miuds to ereet the Government buildings there nothing would take the trade from here. This district* furnished more than any other to the revenue, and he did not see why they should not get some of the outlay. As a community they might be willing to give; but why. should they be taxed first for licences, and then for roads into the bargain ? I i Mr. D Powell seconded the resolution, j Mr. Walker fully concurred in the foregoing remarks; but as ail the proceedings of Government were so tardy, would it not be better for the inhabitants to take the initiative ? i The resolutions (first and fifth) were then put by the Chairman as one motion, and Carried unanimously. On the next resolution, relating to postal communication, being i<-ad by the Chairman, a desuVtory conversation ensued, one gentleman proposing a bi-weekly mail to the Duns tan, aud another (Mr. Wood) as strongly advoca: ing the Invercargill route. The latter proposal was not very well received by the meeting.

Mr. Wood—Why should the diggers have to pay for the making of roads: they are now sufficiently taxed ? Mr. llfc.Es—Who has called on the diggers to subscribe ? Mr. Wood—l repeat, the Invercargill road is the best—the honest road. (A voice —The muddy road. Laughter.) No, sir, not the muddy road—the honest road. I've travelled both roids. Nature has ordered that our mails come by way of the Bluff (Laughter). Kingston is only 75 miles from Invercargill. After a confused discusion— Mr. Bra.dsh.uv said—l suppose every person here knows that the Provincial Government have nothing to do with postal arrangements It rests with the General Government. If we were to send fifty memorials to the Provincial Government it would do no good. A Gentleman—lf we were to have the mails conveyed by way of the Dunstan, it could be done twice or three times a week for about £250 per annum. A Voice—At the Dunstan the contractor has given up his contract for fear of the snow. Mr. Uees—The Dunstan in winter will have no direct road to Dunedin: the only communication will have to be by way of Waikouaiti. Another Gentleman—l received the other day a letter from the Dunstan which occupied 17 days in th j transit. If we were to advocate

the Invereargill route as recommended by Mr. Wood, I do not know how many 17 days it would take. Mr. Webster animadverted on the Government in not providing a suitable post office in Queenstown. On the when the office was situated at a store, he had been told to 44 call again" for his letters, as the storekeeper was busy with his customers. A Digger—Would'nt you like to have it? (Laughter.) The two following resolutions were moved, seconded, and carried unanimously:— That this meeting is of opinion the Wakatip Lake should have a Government Post Office conducted by a Government officer such as on the Dunstnn. That this meeting, seeing the irregularity and uncertainty of the mails from Dunedin being

delivered at Queenstown via Kingston, do urge upon the Government the necessity of re-esta-blishing bi-weekly postal communication with the Dunstan. / Mr. Rees, in respect to the third resolution, thought it would be premature to hold any ; discussion. Mr. Powell heard a rumour to the effect that if Mr. Rees' claim was allowed, he would not sell the ground to the license holders. He wished to ask what were Mr. ! Rees' intentions. i Mr. Rees was not prepared to answer the question. Mr. Powell wished to know what security had those gentlemen who were putting*! up large and permanent buildings that they would not be exorbitantly taxed. , Mr. Cass thought that as Quecnstowa had f»een surveyed at the expense ot the Government. they would most likely know what they were about. They had better take their chance. A Gentleman in the body of the meeting thought they had no right to question Mr Rees concerning his private business. Mr. Walk he proposed the fourth resolution. saying he quite agreed with the sentiments it expressed. Queenstown was without doubt the best site for a township. Mr. Cass seconded the resolution. Mr. Rees thought that the best site for the I

hospital would be Frankton, as it would then be easily accessible to the inhabitants of the Arrow. Mr M a.nde rs thought that the best site for an hospital was where the greatest comforts could be obtained for the inmates, instead of being placed in desolate glory at Fiankton, which only now consisted of half-a-dozen houses. He thought the invalids would be content to travel the extra four miles for the sake of additional convenience. This resolution was then ptxt and carried unanimously. Mr. Luscombe wished to submit a resolution to the meeting. He thought it unfair for the residents of Queenstown to be compelled to be the tenants of any on?. He should recommend that Mr. Rees be paid a certain sum by the Crown as compensation, on his relinquishing all right to the ownership of the laud on which Queenstown is built. Leaseholds in his opinion were the ruin of every country in which they were introduced. He then read the following resolution:— That this meeting is of opinion, that no matter what the question of dispute happens to bebetween Mr. llecs and the Government, it is not only desirable Utit absolutely necessary that the. rights of (he residi'riM of QueeustoWn should be J immediately (feftrietfj ond it is thejr opinion that no rirhf th'e tioCi 'should rest in Mr. a be given to that gentleman, and tbu meeting wfih that

I there should be no mistake on this head, so th at the settlement of the Province be not retarded. Mr. Smyth seconded. Mr. Cass moved the withdrawal of the latter part. He thought they had no right to dictate to Mr. Rees. Mr. Bradshaw was not aware that it was the intention of the meeting to do so. He merely wished to know Mr. Rees' intentions. Mr. Rees might charge them £o or £SO a year if he felt so disposed. lie considered the Government ha I tacitly admitted Mr. Rees' claim, and had laid out Frankton to obviate the difficulty. Mr. Bracken, who wis evidently labouring under ill-health, mivzl the adoption of the last resolution—• That a copy of the resolution b3 forwarded to the Superintendent—in a few remarks, in he showed the unsuitability of Frankton as a central township. If the Government removed the camp buildings thence the miner? would have to tramp an additional 7 miles to depost their gold, &c. He believed they were determined to sell their produce to the .Southland agent, and strain every nerve to obtain annexation to that Province, He for one would b«j willing to do what he could to obtain that end. Mr. Burke having seconded the resolution, it was carried, nem. con. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Rees for his conduct in the chair, and the proceedings terminated.

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE LAKE. INQUEST UX TIIE BODY. An inqueston the body of a man, named Joseph Croucher, who it may be remembered, fell overboard from the "Wakatip" steamer about a!fortnight ago, but whoie remains were not recovered till Wednesday last, was held in Bracken's Hotel, at 12 o'clock on the same day, before J. Nugent Wood, Esq., and a jury of fii teen—Mr. 0. Budd, foreman.

R. C. Bryant deposed that he was sergeant in the water police force, and about 9 o'clock that morning (29th April) he saw the body of a man floating about ten yards from the fhore of tho peninsula. He made a rope fast about the body and towed it to the shore. The face and hands of the corpse were much disfigured. He was dressed in a tweed coat and dark Crimean shirt, moleskin trousers. and watertight From the appearance of the body witness should judge it had been in tin 1 water about a fortuigh£: There were no marks of violence visible art the parson of decea od. Was not acquainted with ' hiln, but he had been identified as the man whr» fell overboard from the steamer ** Wakatip," about a fortnight ago. Charles Brentani, who described himself as a restaurant keeper, living in Queenstown, being sworn, said he had seen tho body lying at the jetty that morning, whom he recognised as a man he knew, named Joseph Croucher. Ho had not seen deceased for some time, bat about a fortnight ago had heard that Croucher hid fallen overboard in the Lake and had been drowned. Was working with deceased in Invercargill for ten months or so. He hid a mother in la-ree-cargill, and a brother-in-law at Kingston. Henry Posselthwaite, s* nek man, now residing in iiuccnstowii; saw ttu body at the jetty that morning. Keognised it a* that of Joseph Croucher by his clothes, and also by his beard and moustaches. Suv docs ised last on board of the steamer " Wakatip," when he was going to Queenstown—the morning of the accident. next evening his bi other-ia-law told witness he had fallen overboard. Had no doubt as to the identity of the body. A Juryman—Should not the Captain of the " Wakatip" be here to say how he fill overboard ? Jas. Craib, who stated tlutJie was employed on board the " Wak-itip " at the time of the accident, said he could give that information, as the Captain was absent j and having been sworn, deposed that he saw deceased fall overboard when the steamer \\\m within fifty yards of the shore. She was «oing "easy" at' the time—he should say about half-»peed. Was at the helm, which he left direetly he saw the accident, and launched the boat with the assistance of another man. The boat was launched, and they wera looking for the man within two minutes after he fell overboard. The steamer was stopped previously to this. Deceased fil over the quarter, abaft the paddhs: it was not possible for the paddles to have Mriu-k him. Did not hear him

call out. It was j i t dark—could not say the time. Looked for hi n for twenty minutes or half-an-hour; other bjats caine off from the shore and looked too. By the Foreman—Tho boat wis all ready to be launched. It was eu board—not in tackles. It was handier than if it h i i been in tackles. ' There was no lift-buoy on board. By a Juror—l (?o not know if any one the helm after I left ir. Tiie rail of the " Wakatip" is not a very &hcrt one. If it had been higher lie would not have fallen over. Had seen rails no higher, used on board much larger ships. A JurorJ—But there has always been a netting, * or'.something of a guard, independent of the rail. Witness—Not always. J have railed in ships of 900 tons where there has been, nothing of thai kind. - ' 'M "The oiief S ; ** _\Vi{ness-/Ffce f toMpL* dwiictf tar Messrs. 'Wtgdftf. *'• t 'k •Mi".. • turoed « verdict of " Accidentally drowned*

adding a rider, recommending the Government to make it compulsory on all boats conveying passengers, to carry life buoys. The Commissioner— I may remark, gentlemen, that I have received information that it is the intention of the Gouemment to introduce an Ordinance for the regulation of the passenger traffic on the Lake.

THE ARROW (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) April 27, 1863. The great event of this day his been a grand footrace for £2OO a side (200 yards), appointed to take place between two wellknown pedestrians, Daniel Hawkleston and Richard Cavanagh. The race ground was the flat opposite Mace's Victoria Hotel, and it was at first arranged to come off at 3 p. m., but on account of some unknown reason was delayed for about an hour, greatly to the annoyance of the lookers on. Although Hawkleston has decidedly the advantage over his opponent, looking younger and more active, vet on account of Cavauagh's Victorian populaiitwh* was the great favorite, and long odds were freely offered upon him. The ground —a sandy soil—and in tolerably fair condition for running, was, after being properly cleared, roped out in the usual manner: Dr. Douglas having kindly consented to start them. The competitors appeared dressed in thorough running costume. The race, which was exceedingly well run, occupied the space of 101 seconds, and to the astonishment of nearly nil and chagrin of many, was won by 3} yards by Hawkleston. Large sums of money changed hands —the betting having been as before stated, greatly in favor of the defeated. On the ground we noticed Messrs Bracken, Powell, and several gentlemen from Queenstown; if report speaks true these cents have no reason to repent their jaunt It is pleasing here to notice the general good order prevailing throughout the large concourse of miners, packers, and others present; and although many lost considerable sums of money, yet their losses were borne with good hnmour, and the police found their offices for that day at lea«t almost a sinecure On the evening of the same diy a public meeting was held in the Pnnce of W ales Hotel, for the purpose of memoralizingShe Provincial Government to form a bridle track from the junction of the Roaring Meg to Fox's Flat. The object of the meeting is certainly one of absolute necessity and paramount importance to the interests of the township. But in the opinion of many as well as myself, the meeting was exceedingly ill timed. It was half-past 7 o'clock before the bellman gaee out the first notice of its being held, consequently the music, dancing,, ke.v nightly taking place in the Prince of Wales Hotel, had to be stopped; and in a state of general excytement Mr. Rowley rose to state the object of the meeting: of wui oc but few business men were present. The speakers were Drs. Douglas and McMillan, and Messrs Patterson, Rowley, and Blanche, all of whom pointed out the immediate necessity of a road being at once constructed, in order to avoid the otherwise inevitable prospect of being locked in for the winter and all postal communication cut off. 1 he result wasgood. A memorial to theProvincialGovernment. for the purpose specified, which obtained numerous signatures, was properly drawn up and dispatched by Rowley to Dunediu. April 29, 1853. The inhabitants of Queenstown are essentially a sporting community, and anything in the wav of real genuine sport is properly appreciated and sustained by our friends residing here. This day a quoit match (bona fide) for £IOO a side, was played by Dennis Hartley and Walker Sharp, at 21 yards. The game, 61 points. As in the case of Cavanagh Hartley, being an old Victorian celebnty, was the general favorite, 10 to 3 being offered and taken upon him. Messrs Lockhart and Sharp kindly consented to become umpires, whilst the refereeship was undertaken by Mr Gibson. The play of Hartley was excellent, he seemed able to place the quoits in any spot he pleased; and he played the game throughout in a masterly manner, and with great judgment, and won easily by 29 points, of course to the great joy of his numerous friends and backers. t A complimentary benefit, previous to his leaving the township, was this evening given, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, to Mr James Hunter, who is well known as a Violinist of no ordinary ability. In fact it is a rarity to hear so young a person posscsse.l of such complete mastery over his instrument. The performance was a la Christy's Minstrels. St was excellently performed on bv jfrjtoriar, whilst under tne hands of Mr Ifci timlffiHT to M psffona

wonders". The first part of the performance consisted of negro songs, burlesques, comicalities, and medleys, all of which were duly applauded by the audience. After which Mr Hunter, the lion of the evening, played a fantasia on different airs, and also a capital imitation of the Scotch bagpipes. In reviewing the whole performance, I cannot comment too highly upon the brilliant execution, full and powerful tone, and complete mastery over his instrument, possessed by this really talented young performer. Nor was the second violin played by Mr. Heiz. much less ably sustained. Mr. Heiz' instrumental powers both as a pianist and violinist, are too well know throughout the colonies, to need any comment. Messrs Porter and Fisher were evidently quite in their element: if 1 mistake not I have seen their faces before in other negro delineations. I am only sorry that the audience was not more numerous. Mr Hunter is worthy of all the support that a music loving community can afford him.

I At Bracken's, about 500 men are employed, I making from *\ to 3 oz. a week, sluicing ! ground which was formorly not considered l of any value. The Arrow River is falling rapidly, and miners are getting in winter stock and making every necessary preparation for the forthcoming inclement season. ! The news from the Ka warau is of a cheering : character. The men are making every necessary preparation for the season, and several are so satisfied of the probable profitable result that they have sent for their families to join them. The wages on Bracken's aver age from 20s to 25s per diem. For the present the supplies are, generally speaking, brought by packers, but those miners who can do so are laying in their own stock. | It is rumoured that a Hospital is about to be erected, I trust the report is correct, as it is absolutely much needed. 30th April, 1863. Nothing of any great importance has transpired during the day. Business, generally speaking, is dull. This may be to a great 1 extent accounted for by the fact, that a large portion of the packing from here to the Shotover is now completed. Provisions, too, are of course generally in excess of Queenstown. I send you an appended list of Wholesale Prices current, kindly favored by Messrs J Marshall and Wickcns:— ; Brandv (Martell's) in case £5; do. in wood (good) per gal. 40s to 42s 6d; gin (anchor brand) from £5 to £5 10s; rum, per gal., from 30 to 35s ; port wine, per gal from 30s; tobacco (good) per lb 8s: tea, i chest £7 10s coffee, p< r lb, 2s 6d; sugar, do Is 3d; tart, acid do. 7s; carb.soda do., from ls4d to ls6d; candles do., from 2s 6d; soap, Liverpool, from Is 6d; oats, per bushel, £2.