THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1890. THE MAILS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume I, Issue 21, 4 April 1890, Page 2

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1890. THE MAILS.

When writing on mail matters some _ahort_time.„agp we were, under the impression that we had pointed out all the defects in the arrival and departure of mails, but since then it has been pointed out to us that mail communication to the Wakamarina is far from being perfect. At present mails are despatched to and from Havelock and Deep Creek on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Tuesday mail to Deep Creek leaves before the arrival of the Wellington mail. A letter posted in Wellington on Monday will not reach Deep Creek until the following Friday, and a reply to it cannot be sent, unless . .by: special •.. messenger, until -Tuesday the following week. Now that mining matters are looking up we think it would be well before letting any fresh contract that the chief postmaster should consult the Deep Creek people. To our minds if the mails were carried 'on to Canvastown by the Nelson coach and then taken on to Deep Creek and vice versa all parties would be satisfied and the Wakamarina people have no cause for complaint. We have been shown a letter that a reply was received from Wellington in 13 days although answered at once. PUBLIC MEETING. A meeting was called for Wednesday evening to discuss the position of the new electoral boundaries, but whether from apathy on the part of the electors or on account of the weather there was a very small attendance, and it was decided to adjourn the meeting till Wednesday next.. It is acknowledged on all sides that this district has been very much neglected in the past • through not having been properly represented, and, of course, the Government have to bear the blame when possibly the fault lies with the electors themselves. It is this apathy in public matters which is the cause of the neglect so much complained of, and unless greater public spirit is displayed matters are never likely to be any better. The people have the power in their own hands to obtain all that it is possible to have, and if they neglect to use that power they can only have themselves to blame. We hope therefore that the meeting to be held on Wednesday evening next will be well attended by settlers from all parts of the district to discuss this question which is of such vital importance to our future welfare. Easter Encampment. The Defence Minister has just put a stop to the attendance of cadet corps at the Easter encampments. Although •we think he should have intimated his intention earlier, we heartily. approve of his action, as we have long felt that the association of mere boys with grown up men out for a jollification was not a good training. Cadet are very useful as a means of training and as a school for the volunteer of the future. We should like to see the volunteers treated more liberally in a pecuniary sense by the Government, at the same time these annual encampments should be more real. We doubt whether, as carried out at present they are of any lasting benefit.

To allow our staff to take a holiday during Easter the Guaedian will not be published on Tuesday. Maps containing the new electoral boundaries can be seen at this office, and it would be well for those who may attend the meeting on Wednesday next to make themselves acquainted with the matter to be dis- ! cussed. At the meeting on Wednesday Mr Eeynolds, suggested that it would be far better for this part of the. district to be tacked on to a suburb of Well lington rather than be a small part of an electoral district the other side of Nelson. He said the principal part of the capital expended in this district came from Wellington, and for that reason our interests were identical with those of the Empire City. In taking our rambles abroad we were fortunate enough to find our way to the farm house of Mrs Keader, senior, where we were treated with 1 great hospitality. Having quenched j our thitst with some excellent cider we were shown over the orchard which is well stocked with a large variety of fruit trees. It has always been our idea that no farm is complete J unless it includes a good orchard, and j we are glad to see that on the farms around this district there are to be seen some really good orchards, but in the past the important matter of fruit growing has too often been neglected, and farms have not paid so well as they might otherwise have done. We have, been shown a specimen of

the antimony discovered by Mr Thrush on the Picton road, near Koromiko, and the stone contains-59"6 per cent of antimony. Mr Thrush has been very persevering in prospecting in different parts of the district at his own expense, and we are pleased to see that his enterprise has met with well merited reward. ;

Mr Staite has been instructed by Mr Faulkner, carpenter, and Mr Jones, blacksmith, to conduct a case, against the British Empire Alluvial Gold Mining Company. A first offender was.charged before John Allen, Esq., R.M., with ness on Wednesday, and was fined a nominal fine of 2s. A second charge was also preferred for disorderly conduct, but upon his Worship considering the evidence adduced the defendant was discharged. A resolution was passed at the. meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board requesting the Government to subsidise pound for pound a sum for medical attendance to the Natives in the Pelorus District. We understand that in the past nothing has been paid in this direction.

Elizabeth Rankin, an old offender, was charged at the Police Court on Tuesday before Mr Severne and Dr Drury, J.P.'s, with being drunk. A fine of £1 was inflicted or the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment. The fine was paid.

Persons wishing to join the Pelorus Prospecting Association are asked to forward their names to the secretary, Mr Venimore, that they may be enrolled as members and qualified to vote at the next general meeting on Wednesday next at the Town Hall.

Mr H. M. Reader notifies that persons with unregistered dogs after the 16th inst. will be sued for the amount without further notice.

Mr P. C. Litchfield, ironmonger, of Blenheim, advertises a lot of cheap lines in ironmongery, including, shovels, axes, colonial ovens, &c. Mr. Muncaster, watch and dock maker, of Blenheim, has a notification elsewhere.

Attention is directed to Mr S;. J. Macalister's advertisment. He notifies' that he has removed to the premises lately occupied by Messrs Earp and Co., and will conduct sales in any part of Marlborough. The following timber was shipped from Blackball during the months of February and March :-—Glericairn 74,000; Clematis, 100,000; Champion, 100,000; Zior, 100,000; Waitohi, 8,000.

Mr Dowsing, who is making a tour round the world, is leaving to-day in the Clematis for the Old Country "via southern towns and Melbourne. Mr Dowsing has been in Havelock for the last twelve months, and is so pleased with the place that it is his intention of returning in the course of a year, when we feel sure he will be welcomed back by a large number of friends who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance during his stay in the district. The adjourned meeting for the purpose of discussing the position of the new electoral boundaries is convened for Wednesday next at 7.30 p.m. We understand that Mr Clapcotfc is going to deliver a lecture at Okaramio. We strongly advise those who wish to spend a pleasant evening to attend. The-date will be announced in our next issue. Intending visitors to the Manama regatta are reminded that the Waitapu leaves the Havelock wharf in the morning at 8 o'clock sharp.

From a correspondent we learn that the rain'has had no bad effect at the Wakamarina Gorge, and good results are being obtained. On Wednesday some encouraging prospects were washed out, and the gold increases as the work proceeds, and it is believed they are near good deposits. Three or four penny weights are now obtained to the dish, but a much larger amount i may be expected soon. Mr and Mrs Draper and Mr and Mrs Bushe paid a visit to the mine on Wednesday, and seemed pleased with the results they saw.