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Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 6, 15 December 1869, Page 4

We desire to direct the special attention of every individual interested in the development of the Bendigo Reefs, to the document a copy of which appears in another column of our present issue, and which is to be presented to Mr Warden Pyke to-day by the deputation appointed for that purpose on Monday evening last. It relates to the granting of a water-right to the holders of the Bendigo Reef, to the detriment of almost all the other claimholders at the Reefs, there being no other water-right available for the majority of the claims except by the construction of a race many miles in length, and which would involve a great amount of labour and expense, as well as loss of valuable time. The petition, or rather protest, bears a largo number of signatures, which represent nearly one hundred shareholders in quartz claims on the field. The decision of this important question affects the interests not only of claimholders at present on the ground, hut also of a considerable number resident in Dunedin and elsewhere who contemplate investing capital in the devclopment of our undoubtedly rich and extensive quartz reefs. Wo earnestly trust that the Warden will consider the interests of the great body of the miners in dealing with the question, and that he will not consent to allow the only water available for working the claims to he monopolised by any one company—even though the shareholders of that company have been, as in this instance they certainly were, the original prospectors on the field. Tire amount of gold taken clown by the last Escort front Cromwell was 820ozs. ; and from Queenstown (monthly return), ISOSozs.

The English mail closes at the Postoffice, Cromwell, ou Saturday rest, at 3 p.m. There was no candidate proposed on Thursday lust for the vacancy in the representation of Bridge Ward caused by the resignation pf Or. Fraor. Citizens who are eligible for election do not seem to be alive to the fact that the business of the municipality is seriously retarded in consequence of the want of another councillor. The Mayor has now the power to declare any person elected who la proposed and seconded by ratepayers ; And in the event of such person declining to accept office,. a lipo' of £25 can be inflicted. . It will be perceived by advertisement in ■another column that Messrs I. Hallenstein and Co. hare been appointed agents in Cromwell for the sale of lime from the Deep Creek kilns. We are informed that this lime is exceedingly tenacious, and is of unusually excellent quality. A portion of the road leading from the terrace above the Bannockburn Ferry to the river has been partially blocked up in consequence of a quantity of earth having fallen from the bank across it. This has rendered the road very awkward for vehi-les, and it is desirable that the obstruction should be cleared away at once. We understand the road is a Government one, and no doubt our road inspector will see to it. We have been shown a specimen of' stone taken from the reef discovered by James Wilson.and part}', situate near the Rise and Shine Co.’s sluicing claim, about five miles from Logantown. This party had been out prospecting for some time, and while cutting a trench up a spur, struck the reef at a depth of about six feet. Gold is plainly discernible in the stone, and the reef is widening out as the sinking is continued. Application has been made for protection for a prospecting claim—hearing to take place before the Warden on the 22ud hist. Now that the post-office and telegraph departments are entirely in the bands of the General Government we hope that some little attention will be paid to the requirements of this district. The Court-house is truly abominable, but the Post-office is a keuuel not fit for , a dog to exist in. It is. a to us how Mr Reekie, to transact in it the important public business be has to perform. Again, what an absurd thing it is that not a single stamped piece of paper can be purchased in Cromwell, and that Clyde has to bo visited before it can be procured. The district deserves the appointment of a distributor of stamps, and something more than a hole dignified by the name of a Foat-office. In the Supreme Court (in Banco), on Wednesday, Sbli December, before His Honor Mr Justice Ward, Mr Howortb moved for a rule tmi calling upon the Mayor of Cromwell (Mr W. H. Whetter) to show cause why a writ of quo ■warranto should not issue, calling upon him to show cause under what authority he held office. An affidavit of some length was read in support of the application. His Honor granted a rule, aad it was made returnable ton days after aer* vice. A concert is announced to take place in the large hall of Kidd’s hotel, on the evening of the 29fch iust., proceeds to be given to a fund for the erection of an athon.eiun in Cromwell. The programme will be published next week. The Dims tan and Cromwell portions of the English mail were brought to Clyde, via Tuapeka, shortly after midnight on Wednesday last. The late arrival of the mailman was owing to the fact that no provision exists for carrying heavy mails by the Knobby Range route. The mailman (Mr Albert Byford) had to hire an additional horse, and bring the anil ou by the Coal Creek road with the Teviofc coach. Having been delayed at Roxburgh while the extra horse was being ridden in, it was dark when he reached Speargrass Flat, about twelve miles from Alexandra ; and being unacquainted with the road, the driver had to “feel his way” slowly and cautiously until he reached Alexandra, where he crossed the ferry about 11 o’clock, arriving at Clyde, as before stated, at about one o'clock in the morning. We are informed by the agent at Clyde (Mr Foote), that this is the first occasion on which the present mailman has been behind time. The monthly meeting of the Cromwell Library Committee was held ou the 7th instant. An addition to Rule 3 was made, whereby members residing over seven miles from Cromwell are now allowed double time for the reading of books taken out of the library. A discussion ensued as to the advisability of allowing representatives of the press to attend meetings of the Committee, a motion authorising the secretary to give the local journals notice of meetings being (we need hardly say) carried. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings. In another column, Mr A. 11. Burton, of the firm of Burton Bros., photographers, Dunedin, announces that ho anticipates being in Cromwell ou Saturday next. Those well-known artists have become celebrated for the excellence of their landscape and other portraits, and we have m doubt that Mr Burton’s trip to this district will be a highly successful one. It is reported that goldfields one hundred and twenty miles long, exceeding the Californian mines in richness, have been discovered near Colima, Nertb-wesfcorn Mexico, and that diggers are gathering there in large numbers. The Charleston Prospecting Association have despatched four men to prospect for gold in the back country. The men are to receive 30u per week while out preapecting.