ST. BATHANS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 6, 15 December 1869, Page 5

ST. BATHANS.

(Fiom ear Om Correspondent ( } Doojmbur 9, ISO - Tho office of correspondent to the Press is by no moans an undesirable or unimportant employment, if tho writer is actuated by sincere motives. That of chronicling events in his own locality worthy of public notice; publishing sound investments to attract the attention of capitalists ; condemning abuses, and advocating projects initiated by residents th it may prove generally beneficial, but requiring foreign support—more often Government aid—to be completed; taking upthecauseof the needy, afflicted, and maligned ; wreathing laurels for those who unselfishly persevere in promoting reform, even against all opposition of conflicting interests ; and urging a balance of tbe scales of justice for universal assistance from the public chest, as against the false dice of undue influence for special aid to particular places. The regular correspondent (in a place where there is no newspaper), may indeed be a .useful man among his own people, if he confines himself strictly to truth, keeps his reports free from “ even” the appearance of exaggeration, and is contented to hive the district known to the public as it is among the residents—“ in its true colours.” With this prelude to my maiden letter, Hearken to the Chrokici.es. With a fair supply of water from the Manuherikm and its tributaries, the identities of St. Bathans, unmoved by gold fevers or rushes of any kind, have, for the past j four years, perseveringly stripped all the auriferous terraces surrounding the basin of St. Bathans, and have been well and justly rewarded for their pains. Doubtless many families in Great Britain and her colonies have reaped the benefit of mining success here (and elsewhere), while immigration has been sustained in the same manner, without any other encouragement, by the reports of prosperous mining throughout the Colony. In referring to this place, lot the escort returns for the past five years be taken as evidence of success ; and may these proofs of the great and lasting benefits conferred upon the country by the so-called wandering diggers gainsay the opinion of “ striving to better,” “ carps, diem," “ übi rue!" and all believers in their doctrines, and remain green in the minds of patriotic legislators who are so short-sighted as to protect the interests of the first pioneers at a sacrifice of the welfare of a class of man who, without money, can make this country an exceedingly rich T -;nd prosperous one, or if there is no room ft pad" for them, can, and-will, take ths first few hundreds they collect to soma more welcome place, leaving Otago to struggle on with high wages, dear labour, and scarcity of markets for want of population, which is the grand and simple secret of a country’s prosperity. The only public institutions St. Bathans can boast of are the" school and a total abstinence society. Tho former is supported by Government aid and fees from the scholars, the average attendance bein'* 22. The income (£1.30 a-vear) is devoted to the schoolmasters salary, and little enough it is in a place where provisions are so high. The latter institution, supported by monthly contributions from about 40 members, has proved highly beneficial to many a “ hitherto foolish fellow” —turned him into a different man, and brought comfort to wives and children and homes, with some prospect of “ nest-eggs” for the education of the little ones. Dipsomania, so prevalent in Otago in 1863-4-5-6, is waning fast in this quarter, and I dare prophecy a permanent, prosperous settlement of about 200 peopl** owing its establishment to the efforts of the first total abstinence society of 1860. Two of our old residents are removing their business to Cromwell, and will prove acquisitions to your town, as energetic, pushing men of business. One of them has been residing at St. Bathans for four years, and has always been very active in promoting the public interests. We are sorry to lose both of our fellow-townsmen. St. Bath infs may be called scrictly alluvial and potato diggings. The only other established source of living is the sale of goats’ milk. The climate is genial, although tho weather is capricious. The people are orderlv, industrious, and domesticated, tho single men and women ordy looking occasionally gloomy and morose.