TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 28 March 1868, Page 3

TAPANUI.

(By a Co-respondent from the Moon).

There being no moonlight at present, and everything consequently dark in that I celestial region ! the original " Man in i the moon " received a roving companion j to visit this sublunary sphere, with the view of obtaining information on sundry points of importance, and of collecting evidence as to a strange report with had reached the moon to the effect that Otugo was progressing ! Landing on the highest peak of the blue ranges on a starry night, I beheld the neat and rural township of Tapanui nestling close to extensive woods that skirt its whole line of street, as if for the purpose of protecting i its own offspring. Entering the Commercial Hotel, kept by one Allanus, a a right good decent mortal, I looked around, and perceiving a curious looking article, discovered it to be what is teimel bythe inhabitants of this lower world a " newspaper," and with that rapidity of perception granted to the beings of a higher order was able in two minutes and three quarters of a second to decipher the whole thing. Calling there for a glass of what I heard others term "P. B." and which was pleasant to behold and delightful to the palate, made myself comfortable for the reading of the " Tuapeka Times," and found such evident symptoms of the law of progress impressed upon it, that I determined upon taking it to my celestial home as one of the proofs that Otago had commenced to progress, and in the mean time decided upon taking up my abode in this place until I should get completely naturalised, in order that I might pass among men unnoticed. Having been here now for a short time, you will perceive how speedily I have made myself one with the world and acquired the forms of expression used in the curious English language. Tapanui is at present in an interesting condition. Pregnant with hopes of a better future, its prognostications, like anxious accoucheurs, hold frequent consultations as to the probable issue. Some think the mountain will only bring forth a mouse ; others, in answer to the question to be or not to be ? which being interpreted, means is Tapanui to go ahead? offer to back her to any amount. Breaking the nut between finger and thumb, our nut-crakers point to a beautiful, but imaginary kernel, studded with rows of houses, splendid farms, and large surrounding goldfielda ; and then placing the shell to their ears, profess o hear the delightful sounds of the lowing cattle, bleating sheep, and neighing horses of industrious miners. Well this is all very nice, and perhaps the correctness of our clairvoyant friends may yet be proven, but in the mean time what says the watchman of the night? He tells us of mysterious whispers of gold found in more than what is termed payable quantities, ,and of secret prospectors who are said by a few to have discovered gold in abundance. Certain it is that one indefatigable party have commenced to prospect, and are already bringing in a race. From the well known character of the leader of this party, his name will need only to be mentioned when the proper time cornea, in order to corroborate those reports, or on the other hand to disabuse the mind of the public on the subject. Two or three parties of chinamen are also at work. From a portion of country between this and Switzer's too there come reports of excellent ground being opened up. But what of the ground now open j for selection ? On this point our nut- j crackers, those solvers of all difficulties, give forth no uncertain sound, and very loudly proclaim against the sale of the land ; in the mean time in case auriferous ground should be taken up, a goodly number of sections will be applied for on the 26th inst., and several of those by strangers who have visited the district in order to select their sections. With a few thousand acres already in the market, according to our prognosis cator 3, the certainty of a goldfield, who knows but that Tapanui may yet rise to a high position in the social and political scale ! In the mean time expectation runs high, and let us hope the reality will exceed the anticipation. Allanus has just asked me to have a drink, so in the mean time here's to you !