Local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 48, 14 October 1863, Page 4

Local News and Notes.

The report of Mr. Vincent Pyke, goldfields commissioner, has been published, by which it appears that the Wakatip stands far in advance of any other field in Olago, having, during the past seven months (the length of time the escort has been established) sent down 191,825 ounces, or at the rate of 27,000 ounces per month ! The much-vaunted Dunstan, for the whole year, has only contributed 185,736, so that our seven months' return exceeds that of the Dunstan's twelvemonth by 13,911 ounces ! As a specimen of the new postal regulations so perfectly arranged for our benefit by our Dunedin friends, via the Dunstan, we may state that the Friday's mail was delivered on Monday. The service in reality seems to be dependent on the despotic humor of the gentleman who carries the mails, and who appears to keep such time as he may think fit, without any reference to the convenience of the public. Without in any way alluding to Mr. Dick, our postmaster, who has on all occasions won the esteem of the community by his urbanity and willingness to oblige, yet we cannot help regretting the thorough negligence that has attended postal communication with the metropolis by the present route. In the case of Coffey v. Doyle, relating to a flood race at Arthur's Point, th 3 following decision was pronounced by Mr. Warden Broad, on Saturday last. The defendant in this case had obtained an injunction to restrain-the plaintiff from working certain ground which, he claims as his (Doyle's). The plaintiff now prayed that the injunction might be removed, and he be confirmed in possession of the ground:—The principal points in the defendant's case rest upon certain verbal promises made by Mr. Warden Wood, and it is to be regretted that there is no documentary evidence in support of these statements. The defendant and his witnesses swear that Mr. Wood grauted them a reserve of 50 feet along the eastern boundary of their flood race. The race is now in disuse, and the defendant being the holder of a river claim has, in my opinion, no title to the auriferous alluvial ground which is on the eastern side of his race. Doyle states, however, that it is his intention to use the race again, and that in the meantime he has had the flood race registered and protection granted for it by Mr. Warden Beetham, a certificate for

which he duly produced ; and he has also expressed his "willingness to give up the large reserve on the eastern boundary of his race to those parties who may wish to mine thereon, provided they guarantee net to injure his race. This demand is, I think, fair and just. I dissolve the injunction, therefore, and grant the plain tiffs the claim at present in their occupation, on the condition that they give such guarantees as the Warden may think equitable, that they will not in any way interfere with, or injure, the defendant's registered flood-race. It must be borne in mind that defendant's race is at the base of a precipitous hill, on the slopes of which the plaintiffs have taken up their claim, and that great care will be required to prevent the earth from falling into defencant's race, and it is from this circumstance that I have thought it right for the plaintiffs to give defendant the guarantee asked for."

On Monday, Mr. Beetham informed Mr. Shepherd that having received a letter from Mr. Campbell, on the subject of allowing other persons than Barristers and Solicitors to plead in that court, he would refer to his previous ruling, viz :—that he could not in justice to those professional gentlemen resident at Queenstown, allow articled clerks or any other than Barristers or Solicitors to plead in that court; he had not objected to non-professional gentlemen pleading during the absence of Solicitors at Queenstown, but that was no longer the case. Under any circumstances he would write to the AttorneyGeneral at Auckland, referring the matter to him, and would be entirely governed by his reply, which would no doubt shortly arrive.

An accident occurred at Arthur's Point on Saturday, which might have been attended with fatal results—in fact it is a wonder the poor fellow escaped. It occurred in Arthur's old race, where the man, by name David Burton, was working. While in a stooping position, a large piece of rock, that had been blasted, fell on him, felling him to the earth. He was speedily dragged from his perilous position by some men, and with all speed and care conveyed to the Hospital. We learn that although no bones were broken, he has sustained some internal injury, which may confine him some time to his bed; but Dr. Pelley entertains great hopes of his ultimate recovery.

Simultaneous with the withdrawal of the Dunedin and Lake line of coaches, ou 1 * readers will perceive that the long-promised service between Dunedin and Invercargill is announced. We have received a communication from Messrs. Brayton and Co., on this subject; who state that all their arrangements will be completed in about ten days, when they will run three times weekly eaeh way, accomplishing the whole distance in one day—about fourteen hours. The fare is stated at the mode rate sum of £5. The convenience of this arrangement it would be useless to expatiate upon, as it must be apparent to the most obtuse. With steamers to Dunedin, Melbourne, and the Northern Ports, continually calling at Invercargill and the Bluff, this route offers the highest advantages, both on the score of cheapness and rapidity of transit, and will, we have no doubt, be extensively and Reservedly patronized. To Dunedin from Invercargill the fare is £3 and £5, which will bring the whole sum up to £8 and £lO, the same rate as by the Dunedin coach, but avoiding the lengthened confinement in a narrow space and the bogs and crab-holes characteristic of the latter. The time occupied in going from the Lake to Dunedin will be about the same as by the other route. It is with reluctance that we are compelled to remark on the present and ungentlemanly habit of smoking in the stalls of the theatre in this town. We have received several communications on this subject, and we must admit that

their complaints are not without good foundation. This custom would be less reprehensible—of course, excepting the presence of ladies—if gentl.men would only smoke during the dramatic

performances, when the inconvenience to the actors would not be of so much account; but it is really a pity to notice the evident exertion under which the singers practice their vocation, laboring under the effects of such an impenetrable fog in their faces. To sing with one's head up a chimney, under the stimulating effect of a fire of green wood, has been for some time held to be reserved for the especial benefit of aspiring rusticity " on the spree," but really the unfortunate singer might as well follow the example of Hodge or Giles literally, for at present their discomfort cannot be much less, while their glory is of course proportionately reduced. TU the frequenters of this theatre can so far control their habits as to refrain from this practice they have only themselves to blame if, instead of theglowiug and impassioned strains of our great operatic composers, they get but tame ballads, the simplicity of which enables the singer to acquit herself with tolerable ease. Laboring under the combined influences of tobacco smoke

and a severe cold, it is indeed marvellous how Miss Royal has been able to perform as she has, and leaves us to imagine what she could do were these drawbacks removed.

We cannot say the announcement of the prorogation of the Provincial Council has greatly afflicted us, nor do we think there will be much regret throughout the district, after their very evident determination of throwing over everything that could benefit the Wakatip. The Daily Times says-" The very unpretending ceremony of proroguing the Provincial Council took place on Wednesday (the 7th inst.) No public interest whatever wag evinced in the proceedings." We should think not. If the rest of the country is only half as sick as we are of the bundle of conceit, self-interest, party-ieeling, and malrepresentation comprised in the general term of Provincial Council, they will view with regret the approach of the 24th of March, 1864, the fatal day, when their petty machinations and squabbles will recommence. If a representative is the criterion of a constituency, with what feelings of admiration must our neighbors J regard the inhabitants of this Province!