local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 June 1863, Page 4

local News and Notes.

The following letter to Mr. K. Harris, of this town, has been kindly handed to us for publication: — Queenstown, June 15,1863.

Sir,—l hare the honor to inform you that I have given instructions for the Warden's Court and Resident Magistrate's Court to be held at the old Treasury, at this place, pending the final decision of His Honor the Superintendent, with whom 1 have communicated on the subject. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Vincent Pike, Sec. Goldfields' Department.

R. Harms, Esq. At Arthur's Point, on Saturday, Dennis Barry, a miner, engaged in hauling poles from the river, some hundred yards above the bridge—but newly erected for the third time —was dragged into the river and quickly carried down the stream, when as he approached the bridge, some humane miners rushed into the water and succeeded in rescuing him from what might have proved a watery grave. This in the presence of scores of persons about 12 o'clock noon. Fortunately he appeared little the worse for the ducking.

About nine o'clock on Saturday night, a miner named Moharry, working on the Shotover, in walking along a narrow ledge, standing between an open cutting and the hut of his neighbour, fell in the paddock a depth of twenty feet, the walls of which being built up to a considerable height with stones, his head came in contact with them and was cut severely. Dr. Morton was promptly in attendance from the opposite side of the river, from whom we learn that a wound had been received, extending two and a-half inches along the occiput, baring the bone for one and a-half inches; also some severe scratches and bruises on the hands and legs. Providing inflammation does not set in (of which there is some danger) the sufferer may soon recover. In the cause of humanity we must protest againt the practice of allowing such dangerous workings as those where the accident occurred, to approach so near the dwellings of the miners. We also again warn them that the hole down which two men have already fallen a depth of forty feet, lies in their path just as treacherously as before the accident occurred, which we reported in our last Wednesday's issue, when by placing a few stout lop across all immediate danger may be avoided. On Monday our correspondent visited Moharry, but finding him asleep did not disturb him; on enquiring of his mate he was informed that he is not yet able to leave his bed, and is just slowly recovering from the injuries received. The necessity for greater police protection on the Shotover grows very clamant We have waited with patience in the expectation that we should hear of some notice being taken by the superior police authorities of the district in reference to the murder lately committed on the Upper Shotover. Strange to say, however, we are not yet in possession of any new facts which we can lay before the public. That a murder has been committed, and that the body, after having been seen, was subsequently removed, we have little doubt. There is at least evidence strong enough 1 to warrant this belief, unless something by way of explanation of this extraordinary occurrence is put forth. The subsequent disappearance of die body goes far to prove that the murderer himself removed it, for we cannot conceive that any man without a motive would hide or bury the body and remain silent. The time which elapsed too between the discovery of the body and the search for it warrants the belief that the murderer is one in the neighbourhood. It will cause a cry of shame throughout all Christian communities if this matter is allowed to drop in the way it seems likely to do. We must also remark that it says little for the efficiency of the police that the matter has nat bee satisfactorily sifted long ago.

A meeting was held on Monday evening, at Bracken's hotel, for the purpose of presenting Mr. Duncan, late gold receiver in Queenstown, with a suitable testimonial, on his departure from the scene of his late labors to Mount Benger, to which eoldfield he has lately been appointed. The meeting was of the highest respectability, and included every gentleman of note in the district Mr. MTavish being called to the chair, in presenting the testimonial, adverted to the arduous labors Mr. Duncan had to sustain on the breaking out of the Lake goldfield, and in the name of the meeting and the public expressed his sorrow at the removal of that gentleman to Mount Benger. It was originally resolved to purchase a suitable article, and present it as a souvenir with an appropriate inscription; but time not allowing of this, a purse of seventy-five sovereigns was substituted. Mr. Bracken, Mr. C. Williamson, and several other gentlemen, testified to Mr. Duncan's uniform urbanity and kindness, and expressed their regret at his departure. Mr. Duncan, in an appropriate but brief address, thanked his friends for their display of feeling, and assured them that he should often remember the time he had passed in

Queenstown with pleasure. The greatest unanimity prevailed throughout the meeting, and many and hearty were the expressions of friend* ship and esteem for Mr. Duncan, to whom " health and prosperity" was drunk, upstanding and with all the honors. [We may mention that Mr. Duncan started on his journey to Mount Benger by the " Wakatip" steamer at noon yesterday.]

The damage caused by the late flood on the Shotover is daily becoming less perceptible, and a few more days of fine weather will enable the miners to efface all traces of its ravages. At Arthur's Point the bridge is again erected on it* original site, and as early as Saturday last was available for traffic. The several parties attempting to turn the river are all actively engaged in their arduous task. We notice also that the framing party have completed their operations, and will, we trust, now reap a handsome reward for erecting such extensive works as the Cascade bridge and flume The Long Beach or Two-Mile Rush appears togain in favor daily, and continues to attract large numbers to work its extensive deposits. Stores and dwellings spring up there as if by magic showing the estimation in which the locality is held by all parties. It is reported that a case of "sticking up" has occurred on the Shotover, between ArthuVs Point and Maori Point, a day or two ago. As related to us, it appears that a person named Bailey was stopped by two men wearing masks, and robbed of £44 and a deposit receipt. This receipt and £4 they kindly returned, at the same* time telling him that they had been swamped out of their claims o& the riverj and as they were almost starving they were compelled to* adopt this mode of replenishing their purses. In fast, after a polite apology, reminding one of the palmy days of Claude Duval, and other celebrated and chivalrous "Knights of the Road," they bowed themselves off, leaving the unfortunate involuntary philanthropist minus £4O. He states that he is unable to identify the robbers, so that they have a good chance of escaping the arm of the law, which at the best is very weak in that district.