QUEENSTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 920, 17 July 1869, Page 11

QUEENSTOWN.

(from our own correspondent.)

July 7th.

Tho election of a gentleman to fill the office of Mayor is exciting much interest here. Three requisitions have been numerously signed ; one in favour of the present Mayor (Mr J. W. Robertßon), the others requesting Councillors Hallenatein and Malaghan to allow themselves to be nominated. All three are so popular that it ia impossible to say who would be elected if all stood. None of them have yet replied ; but it seems proba< le that Councillors Hallenstein and Malaghan will have to fight out the battle^ Mr Robertson having held the office of Mayor for three years, it is thought that a change would be beneficial.

The election of a Mayor has also something more than mere local importance. The up-country municipalities are, in fact, shire councils. They represent to the Government not only Municipal interests, bul the wants and requirements of the people of a largo surrounding district. They speak not only for the town itself, but, aa it were, for a county. This, so far as the Wakatip is concerned, has been recognised by the people who have left everything to the management of tho Corporation, and depend upon them to suggest measures and matters useful to them. The Provincial Government soem also to havo looked to the Corporations as the mouth-pieces of tho aovoral districts. Under such circumstances the ponitiou of Mayor io of some importance, snd henco the eagerness shown in the forthcoming election.

Tho minors and raco-ownors are praying for snow and rain. Tho winter has been almost a snowless one. Very littlo rain indocd has fallen. Should tho usual summer follow, wo shall bo vory badly situated, and no doubt hoar loud cries of drought. Tho race owners aro already alarraod, and any that no anow is lying on tho hills— that where, last year, it lay to tho depth of several foot, there aro not, Una year, as many inchoa. Tho weather ia also extraordinarily fino— bright sunny days and cool nights, but littlo frost In fact, tho woathor xa too fino.

The land placed under whoat culture oxcoedn that of laat year, und tbo crop looks very promising throughout tho ontiro district, Ono farm ilone has increased ita prodtiotß by 200 acroi of this coreal. Time ban proved that tho Frankton and Arrow Flat lands are richer than waa anticipated, and will in many instances stand repeated cropping without manuring. AH tho good available land baa, howevor, boon absorbed, and that now b«ing taken up it of an inforior character. The demand for land is, however, steady, and people ieem mord disposed toiettle down permanently

and to make the. Wakatip a -home. The days of fortune making are almost looked Upon as past, and all seem desirous to establish themselves in the district, and to build up a new house. I hardly ever witnessed so much true v colonization as I do here. No restlessness, no desire of change and, excepting the grumbling at heavy taxation, ao'much confentment. Sergeant Fox has at last received the standard weights and scales, and consequently the Acts can now be put in force. Keen competition has recently ruled in the bread trade, and the 41b loaf is being sold at Bd. This is deemed rather too , low a price, but the rival bakers demand the enforcement of that portion of the Act which requires the carrying of scales and the weighing out of bread. The standard weights and scales received are very perfect, and will be found very useful as a check. While speaking of Sergeant Fox, 1 may take this opportunity of mentioning that the police force in the entire district deserve praise. Their duties are performed strictly and attentively, but without fussiness, and, for a wonder, all classes are satisfied.

The district is, 1 hear, free of scab. Mr Kennedy, the Inspector, has, is is said, received orders to make Clyde his head quarters. If it is intended to carry out proposed reductions, and place all the duties upon one man for two districts, I think it will lead to much confusion. No officer, however zealous, could work such an extended district as that of the Wakatip and the Dunstan combined. The Wakatip extends along the confines of the province of Southland down to Switzers, and the Dunstan is nearly as large. Sheep owners and others seem ko be much dissatisfied at the proposed change.

The steamer Antrim is fully employed, and apparently doing a good business. The firm of J. W. Robertson and Co. are building jetties at Frankton and Kingstown on the sites granted to them, besides the one built and erected by them at Queenstown. All these are principally for tho use of the steamer mentioned.

The applications for timber leases have caused much consternation. The sites applied for are those contiguous to the Lake ; but it has been suggested, and I believe this suggestion will be officially endorsed, that the right to make a new road, or to use, upon payment, any road constructed, should be a clause attached to the issue of such leases. If this is really carried out, many difficulties will be overcome.