COAL CEEEK FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1168, 5 August 1885, Page 5

COAL CEEEK FLAT.

(From our own Correspondent. )

The weather just now is very cold and wet, with the hills covered with snow. The poor little lambs and other stock must have a bad time of it. So far the past winter has been very dvy and mild. The concert and gift auction held lately at Roxburgh for the Tuapeka Hospital and Benevolent Institution show what united action can accomplish whenproperly carried out. Although every one who took an active part in the affair deserves great praise, yet the unqualified success of the bazaar was mainly due to the untiring efforts of Mrs J. J. Smith, and Miss Mackay, who, escorted by Mr Mackintosh, devoted several days to canvassing the district for donations of farm produce, etc. Mr Burton, the auctioneer, worked hard. I never saw an auctioneer in better form ; in fact, I'm afraid he worked too hard, as he has been unwell ever since the auction. It is proposed to hold an annual concert and gift auction for the benefit of the Hospital in future. The report of the Minister of Mines is a plain, straightforward narrative of his tour through our goldfields, and it shows what a grand (but awfully neglected industry on the part of the Government) our goldmining is. Mr Larnach has not made the best report possible . A practical Minister of Mines, such as Messrs Pyke, J. C. Brown, or some other goldfields member with the material Mr Larnach had would have given a better and more comprehensive report. W^e feel proud o£ our respeefcc 1 member, Mr V. Fyke. There is nothing left undone which he can do for the benefit of his constituents. lam afraid he is rather too much of a Freetrader. If freetrade was universal, then he is right ; but when our neighboring Colonies tax our produce sent to them, why admit theirs free, when we can grow and produce as good or better than they? If our markets were not swamped by Colonial fruits, clothing, <&c, there would be thousands of pounds kept and circulated in New Zealand which is now sent away. This question is too broad to deal with here. I should like to see the other Colonial tariffs published. Mr J. 0. Brown's motion that Treasury bills should be circulated the same as bank notes, and * that our gold be purchased by the' Government, are among the best ideas, to my mmd, that I have seen this session. The country would reap great advantages from these arrangements, but it will be opposed tooth and nail by all those interest? d in banking. The railway petition for the extension of railway communication to Roxburgh has. been numerously signed, and is, I hope', in Wellington. There is a universal opinion up here that Mr Smaill, our County Engineer, is not receiving fair play from the Council. The " Mt. Benger Mail " has had two leading articles on this important subject. Your contemporary thinks our County Councillors are not acting right in this matter. I have every confidence in the Chairman and most of the Councillors ; and no doubt when the new plan of Inspector and Engineer iB considered, we shall be enlightened and shown where the money will be saved ! But should there be no saving effected, I; hope Mr Smaill will bej reinstated and j things go on smoothly. The river is low and all the claims are in full work.