Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1886.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1521, 26 February 1886, Page 2

Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1886.

f Our usual leading article is held over. We are informed by wire this afternoon that the electric works at the Phn?ni.\ mine, Skippers reefs, will probably finally start on Monday. The present delay is eajsed by a slight obstruction with the motor in the claim. A new run of gold has been struck ISO feet east of the former gold. It is quit# in new ground. Crushing lias been going on by steam with good results since Monday last, the machine having undergone a thorough repair and ten more stampers being erected. Sir Oorpe Orev is to give a political address at Auckland this week, and it is proposed to ask Major Atkinson to speak there. No nominations of candidates or an insufficient number have been received for the annual election of Licensing Committees for Kingston, Queenstown, Arrow and dreenstone. For the Matukituki district ho noti e it was again a walk-over for the '•veterans of last year. Xo advice has yet been received of t!i» result of the nominations for Cardrona, but it is more than probable that a , contest will be got up in that part. About twentv representatives from the various Courts of 'lie Order of Forestry in the Otago district arrived per Mountaineer steamer last niulit, for the purpose r.f holding their half-yearly district meeting, which is to take place this afternoon in huicsters Hall. To-night a banquet is to be given by tlie local Court, at the Harp of Hi in Hotel, and to-morrow an excursion is to be made to the Head of »h" Lake, in honor of the visit. " Hum-mi tan," in our correspondence column, nnkes a \fty grave complaint concerning the state of ('aidi'>i.a S l.oul and the npatliy of the F.ducation Hoard t!:--ieon, and it is only in the belief that extreme cases require extreme remedies that we have inserted, without altercation, some of his st.iti ments. We regret to state that Bishop Barry is still detained at the Lak» s on account of the continued ;n Imposition of his wife. Ore it «•«mijil.-iints have been made about the ur< tch'd state ot tho Martin's Hav tra'-k. As the ! s* tor rep iiis wocM he comparatively trifiing.it 1 is to be ho| eil that the County Council will give some attention to the matter at Monday's meeting. It would also be well to remind (Joveminent of the i'l.lo voted by Parliament last session for repair of p ad from the head of Lake M'Kerrow to JamesI town, which still remains unexpended. I Many raUpayets in the County are wondering I why the County Council at the present time reI quire the services of an engineer to carry on their road works, as neaily all the lines, save Skippers, have Ih'pii surveyed and laid off, the latter even lieing a Government one wiil necessarily he laid off bv a (iovpriiinent engineer. It appears that all the County requires is a good road inspector, one that can as occasion demands, draw up a specification tor culvert or therepairof a road and supervise the general maintenance of roads existent, leaving the c'eiical work an 1 collecting of rates to a competent man, whose post would he at the office of the Council wh re he certainly would be almost dailv required. The matter of combining the olfices of K-'gineor, Clerk, Collector, Ac., has been discussed times out of minder by kindred bodies, but the scheme has invariably been condemned as unworkable, as in few cases can men be found, who are willing and able to attend to so many duties without neglecting some. It is like—to use the old adage - a "Jack of all trades and master of lion".' It is not itnl kely, jf the Council adhere to their redistribution scheme of offices, that things will be pretty '"mixed" and the cost will be greater than ever. It is to be hoped, however, that v.iVr counsel* will prevail at Monday's rneeting, for the ratepayers cannot afford to pay for white elephant* these times. It is said that in South Australia another grub has been discovered in orchards far more destructive than the eodhn moth, for it kills both trees and fruit, whilst the latter only attacks fruit. One or.-hard having from 500 to COO trees has been completely destroyed. Last year the owner averaged 30 bushels per tree, but this year he has not obtain* d a hustle!. Since I ait meeting of the Lakes Acclimatisation Society a telegram from Mr W. Seed, Customs Hcp.irtnieiit, Auckland, to the bailiff, Qucenstown, Ikm U>n received, stating that Oo vein merit had r< eel veil advice that twenty boxes of white fish ova were on board the Almeda due on the fifth of i.i xt month, an 1 »«king—in the event of other s utliern societies not being prepared to receive —whet'ier the Oueenstown hatchery was available, and also if he could come to Auckland mi l t;:ke charge of same from landing till arrival at A reply was sent to the effect that the S iety had accommodation for hatching out r.iio'if 400,000 ova, but they were unable to send to Auckland lor them. We believe that Oovernment have arranged to ser.d Mr Fair, of the C'hristchuroh Society, to take charg« of the ova from Auckland to the various aoowtica to which they pay be

■' Advice was received by the last Home mail that the so-called "Norman Ulectric Litht Co."arc a Yankee sham and a fraud. Unfortunately we published, in good faith, their business announcement, *' The Victory of Electricity," bat sincerely khope that the bait, although a very attractive one, »as not caught any of our readers. 1 It has been finally decided to hold the Volunteer Easter encampment and review at Oamaru this year. It is stated that ample camp equipage will be available. It is reported that Miss Christian, the wellknown singer intends making a pleasure trip to the Lakes district in a week or ten days, during which she may be induced to give one of her popular concerts. Miss Christian's company which is spoken very highly of by the Press, comprises, amongst others, Mr Sherek and Miss Emily Christian, two highly accomplished musicians, and Mr Armes Beaumont. [Since the above was in type it is announced that Miss Christian will give a concert at the Town Hall on the 9th proximo.] We have been requested to mention that a special mail for Martin's Bay, via Head of the Lake, will be made up and close at the Queenstown Postoffice to-morrow evening, at 9 o'clock. In view of the probabilities of a general election before long, it would be as well that qualified residents, who have any doubts on the matter, should inspect the Wakatipu Electoral Roll at the (,'onrt-house, without delay, in order to obviate the risks of disfranchisement. Requisite forms may be had at the office of the Registrar, Queenstown, or at the office of this paper. We are informed that the horse which was drowned on Wednesday, the 27th ultimo, with the young man Robertson, near the Sawmills, Head of Lake, was observed floating near the lake shore, opposite Mr Forsyth's on Friday last. It was recovered with all its harness on. There were no signs of the body of its ill-fated rider, which will no doubt ever remain submerged like that of others who have gone down into the depths of the cold and clear blue waters of the Lake. We are glad to learn from Dr Douglas that Mr Prince is getting on as well as can be expected after the very serious accident which befell him on the Skippers road. The symptoms are favorable so far., but it may lie weeks—even months—before the consequence of his accident will be definitely known. In contradiction to reports that have been commonly circulated, it may be as well to mention that there is not the slightest appearance of any fracture of Mr Prince's skull, although that portion seems to have sustained the whole force of the fearful fall. At last Wednesday's meeting of the Otago Waste Lands Board the following business of local interest was transacted : —Mr Wesley Turton's application, on behalf of the Arrowtown Borongh Council, to purchase 15J acres of block XVIII., Shotover district (between section 16 and Bushy Creek), for water-supply purposes, was referred to Ranger Adair for report thereon.—Mrs Jane Meiklejohn's request for permission to surrendei Run 9, Wakatipu, was referred to Government fol consideration.—Jane Flint's application to purchases under agricultural lease section 107, block 111., Shotover, was ordered to be forwarded for Governor's approval. To-morrow the return cricket match Arrow v. Queenstown takes place on the ground of the latter. At the last match, played about Christinas time, the Arrow won by 3 runs on the first innings. Seeing that it turned out such a close contest, we have no doubt that to-morrow will prove a very interesting day, not only for the players but also for all lovers of the game. So far the weather promises to be fine, and this, backed up with a pood wicket prepared by "our boys," and a public holiday into the bargain should furnish all that can be desired The following are the players—Arrow—J. Woodhead (captain), T. Reid, H. S. Thompson, J. Blight, A. L. Cheyne, G. Romans, H. Houston. S. M 'Skinning, G. Scoles, W. Baker and J. Barlow. Queenstown—A. Anderson, J. Bevin (captain), A. lk>yne, janr., W. Canning, J. Gardiner, W. Gavin, F. Green, G. Gibb, J. Mehaffey, W. M'Laughlin and J. Reid ; emergency—J. Robertson and 0. Firth. Play will commence at 10. 30. There will be an adjournment at 1. 30. for lunch at Kichardt's, and stumps are to be drawn at 6. p.m. We are informed that a little girl, daughter of Mrs Perrelle, Arrowtown, had a narrow escape from a serious injury on Monday morning last. It is said that when on her way to school a lad threw a lighted match at her, which caused her dress to instantly catch fire. It was with difficulty the fire was put out, and not before the greater portion of her outer dress was consumed, and the hands of the person who rescued her were pretty severely scorched. We are glad to learn, however, that the child has not suffered much hurt beyond the fright she received and the destruction of her diess. In looking over the schedule to the new Stamp Act Amendment of ISBS, we find that the old stamp duties pertaining to transfer and assignment of miners' properties are still extant, as the schedule of fee* in the old Act of 1882 are still unrepealed. The only difference in the Amendment Act is that miners' rights and consolidated miners' rights can be transferred on the same scale of duty fees as miners' claims, etc. We were in error in our issue of the 12th instant, when we stated that miners' properties could not be transfeired or assigned under a stamp duty of 7s. 6d. To make this matter clear the schedules in both Acts have to be read together, when it will be found that the first portion only of the old schedule is repealed to the word "assignor." The fees following—relating to these duties—remain intact, viz., £2O and under, Is.; £2O to £SO, 2s. Cd.; over £SO, 2s 6d.; up to next £.">o and so on. The concert at the Town Hall on Friday evening was well attended, and passed off very satisfactorily both for the audience, and, we should say, for that popular institution, the local band, on whose behalf it was got up. The ladies and gentlemen familiar to Queenstown audiences acquitted themselves very creditably, whilst strangers—or comparative strangers—who kindly lent assistance were very favorably received. Amongst the latter may be mentioned the Misses Arkles, lately on a visit to the Likes, both of whom sang very nicely and their efforts met with well deserved applause. Miss Ramsay also has a pleasing voice, and her renderings of well-known songs were much appreciated The Misses Bond kept well together in the "Great Globe Quadrilles " and played with admirable precision. Mr M'Laughlin in the comic song, "The Frenchman" made a capital representative character, and brought down the house in some of the leading points. His execution in the piano solo was also exceedingly good. We hear that the proceeds of the entertainment were about £ls. After the concert a dance was got up and passed off very pleasantly. On Sunday evening St Peters Episcopalian Church, Queenstown, was crowded by a large congregation, when the most Rev. Dr Barry, Bishop of Sydney and Primate of Australia and Tasmania, preached. Service was conducted by the Rev. W. H. Klton, and the Primate read the lessons and preached. His lordship delivered \ very excellent and impressive discourse, which we are unable to report beyond the barest outline. His text was Psalm viii., verses 3, 4, 5 and 9, which Psalm, he said, was only an inspired commentary on the story or history|of the Creation as contained in the Ist chapter off Genesis. The 30th chapter of Job was of a simila|character, but it was m more mysterious language. Writers in many other portions of the Holy scriptures, when dwelling on the subject and praising God in his creation, had all taken as their ground of faith the words contained in the Ist chapter of Genesis, which set forth three great truths—the beginning when the earth was without form ami void, the creation of the world, the creation of all living creatures, and lastly, man in His own image—God in man, whose body was but the house of that priceless pearl, the soul. " RotKiH ON Corns."—Ask for Wells' "Rough on Corns." Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Kempthorae, Protter ud Co., Areata, Cbristchurch.

We are glad to hear that it is likely a portion of the banks of the Lower Shotover river, near the bridge, is likely to be taken up for mining purposes. The locality is between the bridge and a bend about a mile and a-half above it, chiefly consisting of terraces an I flats running parrallel with the river, in fact, being its ancient bed. Good heavy waterworn quartz, boulders may be easily seen lying in a drift bottom on the terraces, while in some places nearer the river the high reef crops up on either side of likely-looking flats. Attention has been drawn to this locality on account of one party having recently obtained about 17dwts. of gold in a day or two with a tin dish only, while another party has struck good payable wash on the flat at least a mile above the first discovery. The precious metal has been known to exist in this place from the earliest days of the gold fever, and although it is a proclaimed mining reserve, it has been occupied, fenced off and cultivated by people who have no title thereto, but where gold is found on any cultivated ground miners should allow time for these people (although jumped) to remove their crops. A county road-line has been surveyed along the banks of the river from the bridge to Nelsone farm, but there is plenty of ground for 50 men on either side of the road. It is cheering in these dull times to learn that the county revenue is likely to be increased by workings of this nature, and it is to be hoped that every encouragement will be given miners to develop these dormant resources of the district. That gold exists in payable quantities in many unworked alluvial places on the Shotover, and elsewhere in this district, cannot be doubted, but unfortunately for its interests many cf these localities are somewhat selfishly locked up by fanners and others, who fence off every inch of land (of mining reserves) adjacent to their holdings without a right, and thus, to a large extent, prevent the miner from using his legitimate right to mine. The following remarks are from the Auckland Watchman A contemporary states that the re\emie from the property tax this year will be £243,996—a magnificent sum, truly ! just about one-seventh of what is collected through the Customs. The advocates of the property tax are never tired of pointing out how widesspread its influence. They say—"What do you want with the land tax, but all wealth of every description?" and the result is £246,000! Seeing that a one per. cent, tax on land aloii", which no bona-Jide occupier would feel, would alone give a revenue of between two and three million pounds, it does seem very wonderful that only a paltry quarter of a million can he raised from a tax upon the whole wealth of the community. Harvesting in the Oamaru district is in full swing, and threshing-mills are at work. The area under crop is less than usual, and the results, particularly of oats will be materially short of the usual yields. Mr Bradlaugh has taken the required oath, and his seat in Parliament. He has learned by this time that a man is at liberty to hold what opinion be pleases, so long as lie holds his tongue. / The Ota<jo Daily Times last week published a few figures which ought to be carefully studied and borne in mind the next elections : —The total public debt of New South Wales is 30 millions, of Victoria 27 millions, and of New Zealand 33 millions. Of these sums, New South Wales has spent 24 millioms ou railways, Victoria 21, and New Zealand 12. In other words, New South Wales has spent nearly of her public debt on railways, Victoria Beveirninths. and New Zealand only about threeAfter deducting net railway earnings, New gomh Wales pays interest at the rate of about 5s per head of population, Victoria about 6s 6d, while New Zealand people have tc pay over £2 per head annually after making due allowance for the earnings of railways. A contributor to the Dunedin society paper had his head severely punched at Mosgiet the other evening. Tar and feathers would be an equally just punishment. Nitro-gelatine is the latest blasting agent out. It is said to be many times more powerful than dynamite aud much safer to handle. A trial made of this new explosive near Wellington lately gave verv satisfactory results.

Judge Ward sentenced a bankrupt at Wanganni one day Last week to a month's imprisonment, on the ground that it had been shown that his bankruptcy had resulted from unjustifiable extravagance of living, taking the form of drinking and billiards.