UPPER SHOTOVER

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 785, 26 November 1873, Page 2

UPPER SHOTOVER

(from oub own cobrespospest.) November 24th, 1873. Our Public Library is now completed. It is a neat and snug little building, of the form of the letter T, aud of the following dimensions -.—Main hall, 36ft by 14ft, and two rooms, 7ft by 12ft each. The work has been done in a creditable manner, under the supervision of our local architect The opening Ball, held on All Hallow Eve, was well attended, and*passed off in a satisfactory manner. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves; and dancing was kept up till daybreak. In the refreshment department, everything was as it should Ifc—" up to the handle." The Stewards are deserving of praise for the courtesy displaced by them on the occasion. Now that we have a suitable room, it may pay a "Star Mammoth" or Dramatic Company to give us a visit; for if Dr Canwas capable of easing the district of a hundred pounds, what ought others to do 1 The change of mail day has conferred a long-desired boon, for we can now get the latest news up to date, instead of a week old, which was the case prior to the alteration. Mining appears to I* brisk at present. Messrs Fisher and party have disposed of their claim at Skippers Creek to the Chinese. The celestials have this Creek pretty well to themselves, for there are now only two or three parties of Europeans on it Some of our terrace claims are doing well. The river keeps up, and is rather high for general work. A meeting of the Miners' Association was held on Saturday last. The principal business transacted was with regard to propsed sale of runs. After a lengthy and temperate discussion, an amendment, for selling the runs, was carried unanimously, there being only one dissentient This may rather astonish the outside public ; but the features of this district are so different from other portions of the Wakatip that I do not see how we could come to any other decision. It was shown at the meeting that, from Maori Point to the source of the Shotover, on south-west side of river, there is nearly 100,000 acres of sheep country, which is estimated to bring in a revenue of £7OO per annum. Mr Bastings' letter had great influence on the meeting. We all know what the system under the late Board of Wardens has been—neither satisfactory to man or beast; and any change was preferable to what has hitherto existed. In conclusion, I may say that I do not see what is to prevent the Government from deriving a revenue of over £ISOO a year from this portion of the Wakatip.