Queenstown.

Southland Times, Issue 9359, 27 October 1886, Page 3

Queenstown.

(from oub own correspondent.) Messrs McLeod and Shaw, of your city, have completed within contract time the erection of the new portion of Eiebardt's Hotel, and on Saturday evening a friendly w-union between them and the contract Caw Eichardt) tock place. Both parties are satisfied and several friends were present. Music was interspersed with congratulatory remarks upon the excellent character of the work done. The plasterers were Messrs Washfr and Medly, and well have they done their work, and the pnmber was Mr Watson, who lias apparently carried ont with integrity a T cry difficnl series of works. Mr F. W.Barwell was the architect, so that it may be said that with one exception this handsome piece of work is the product of your citizens. The ' exception is that of Mr Thomas Luckie, of this town, who was inspector of works. An Invercargili tradesman, Mr Thomson, also laid flown the asphalt pavements, &c. The building i« not only an imposing ornameut to the town but would reflect credit on any town or city in the colony. It commands beautiful views of alpine and lake scenery, and our fine sheet of water sets it off grandly. It is very doubtfuljf any finer or more picturesquely situated an hotel exists elsewhere. It would do honour to Switaerland, but there is not there this laree field of scenery to gaze and meditate upon. There is a fine hotel at Oolozne, Dtit it only commands a view of the roeeed Bhine river and some distant scenery. This new | hotel will prove of great value to the-travelling public. There has been also ejected a new detached wooden building of * ten rooms for the use more especially of commercial men. It is replete with accommodation, and coutaini, besides sanople rooms, parlbnre and bedrooms. _^Mr Tbos. '■ -Luckie^ erected thi» new addition The budd. 1 " ' in» tie Mghttd tbiookbput with the ilwtttO

Kining matters vinttheQueenstown portion of tne district are very promising, and many claims are rewarding the owners for past and continuous efforts. This applies to both alluvial and qu%rti claims. ? The large •luiciug claims aro beginning to yield well, bdt a dry Rummer will lead to a water famine and a cberk to; this class of mining. The iron bar system with scrub under it is found th? beit means of Faviog gold, eepecla'ly fine gold j At the Pbqeaix quartz mine the electric system works admiiably. Thirty head or stampers are kept going with the aid of the turbine water power, but the electric system works the diamond drill and haulage works in the mine itself. Ordinary stone only is being crushed to get it ont of the way : another twenty feet or to and the Promised Land lode will be reached. This lode has been tested by a shaft, and is known to be very rich. The Phceaix Extended are setting to work vigorously, and some of the Melbourne men have been here, and are quite satisfied with the prospects. The Company made 1 nice haul of nearly 200ozs from the copper plates left by Soutnberg and Co, and it will go a long way towards paying preliminary expenses. We have had dose warm weather, with two or three light showers of rain ; more of. this element is much needed ; however, the grass and other crops are growing fast and well The fruit crop is pointing to excellent results.' These, however, might be marred by frost, or high dry winds later on. Your report of the Charitable Aid Board's meeting was read with much interest. With all their fuss the saving to Arrowtown will be Jrom £4 to £5. The mountain has indeed been in labour for such a gain. It will lead to after results not necessary to point out now. District Court Judge (L. Broad, Esq.) will sit here on the 28 th inst. There are only a few bankruptcy cases to bring before him; some comirg from Cromwell and elsewhere. They are not likely to present any features of interest, such as those in your Court does. There is an intention to offer this dignatary a banquet. He was for years the B.M. for Arrow district, and was popular, especial 'y there. Commercial matters are very quiet here though continuous imports come direct for the mines. This lessens local trade transactions, and besiles business is overdone by so many being in the field. Our band is vigorously preparing for your Invercargill trial affair, and may give you some •• rouble yet in the matter of competition for honour*. The camp equipments for the survey of the road to Martin's Bay, &c, are nearly ready. The survey party, accompanied by Mr Black, County Surveyor, will 6tart sometime this week, They expect to finish their preliminary survey in three weeks' time, when, this done, tenders will be at once called for the formation of the track and bridges. 25th October, 1886.