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Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 63, 5 December 1863, Page 4

The first mail under the new contract arrived in Queens town last evening, and returned to Dunedin this morning. The service is now extended to three times a week each way—leaving Queenstown on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and arriving here on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is a boon for which we have indeed good reason to be thankful, and will be no doubt highly appreciated by all residents of the Lake district. While on this subject it jwill not be mal-apropos to express our acknowledgments to the postmaster of Queenstown —Mr. Dick—who, by his kindness and uniform willingness to oblige, even at some personal inconvenience, has won the well deserved esteem and respect of all here. For our own part, we are happy at having an opportunity of admitting the obligations we are under to Mr. Dick, and of publicly expressing our thanks. A select ball took place at Frankton on the evening of Tuesday last at the Kawarau Hotel (Messrs.Thomson and Osborne, proprietors) which was numerously attended, both from the Arrow and Queenstown. The elegant and substantial supper did great credit to the resources of the establishment, and everyone seemed highly delighted with the evening's amusement, and with the arrangements made for their enjoyment by the worthy proprietors. Mr. Manuel fulfilled the office of M.C., and dancing was kept up till a late hour. The Queenstown Improvement Committee have received a letter from the Chief Commissioner of Waste Lands, in answer to the petition lately forwarded; from which it appears that the application of our townspeople has had the desired effect, and that their allotments will not be put up to public auction, but offered to the occupiers at a fixed upset price. A meeting of the Committee of the Hospital took place on Thursday, the 3rd inst. The proceedings consisted in receiving the reports of the financial and house sub-committees, who proposed the adoption of several regulations for the more efficient working of the Hospital. In consequence of an irregularity in the accounts, Mr. Kirk, the house steward was dismissed. A motion to the effect that he be prosecuted for embezzlement, was lost by one vote. A sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs. Rees, Beetham Brown, Bracken, Healey, and McGaw, was ap. pointed for the purpose of drawing up the vital statistics of the institution, so that the Government grant-in-aid might be obtained. Mr Manders was appointed to look into the house affairs of the institution for a fortnight, and to bring up a report thereon. The meeting at six p.m. was adjourned to the Bth inst., the committee to meet [at Bracken's Commercial Hall, Queenstown. The departure of the n& "Alexandra" nee "Nugget," yesterday, on her first trip since the recent extensive improvements that have been effected in her, was witnessed by not a few of the curious among our townsfolk; and we feel bound to say that no disparaging remark damped the satisfaction we naturally felt on seeing this smart little steamer on the berth again. The energy displayed, in the face of innumerable and apparently insuperable obstacles by her owners, reflects the highest credit upon them; there has been an entire renovation from stem to stern, and a powerful tubular boiler gives a pretty sure guarantee of tho uuprovement in her speed that

will no doubt have taken place. We nave no doubt the il Alexandra" will prove herself one of the fastest and most comfortable boats now upon the Lake. x A meeting of the Wakatip Jockey Club was held at Allert's Hotel, Frank ton, on Thursday afternoon, after the Hospital committee meeting was over. In consequence of the late hour and absence of the Arrow members, no business beyond the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting was gone into, except a resolution to the effect that the Stewards be requested to meet at Powell's Family Hotel, Queenstown, on the 7th inst., and draw out a programme of the races. We notice with sincere regret the following announcement in the Invercargill Timet of the 2nd instant:—" It is our melancholy duty to record the death of Mr George Smallfield, which occurred on Monday morning, 30th ult. Mr Smallfield was, until lately, editor and part proprietor of the Southland News, but failing health compelled him to retire. The funeral took place yesterday, and a large number of gentlemen paid their final tribute of respect, by following his remains to their last resting place."