THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1869.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 8, 29 December 1869, Page 4

THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1869.

Justice can be .administered roughly and with a high hand, or it may be dealt out with evenness of temper and impartiality. In these times, people weigh the conduct and the actions of those who hold the scales. The arbitrary style that ruled in the earlier part of this century is and fortunately for ever. Snb.Jrs have learnt that they are re,V humble, abject suppliants 'jpislice. They go to the Courts demanding as their right a settleJ insait of their disputes, as near‘as can be | given, according to tlio code of laws that

have been framed for the nation’s welfare. They do not look for the wisdom of a Solomon or tho integrity of a Socrates. They are content if the laws are impartially administered and due attention be given to their cases. As of old, they demand the latter; and though harsh Judgments may be given, those who are forced to the Courts are generally satisfied if they perceive shat the presiding power has given attention to the matter brought before it. Three things, however, are not lightly passed over, and these in themselves tend to bring the administration of the law into disrespect as well as disrepute. The first is, the exercise of arbitrary power ; the refusal to listen patiently and calmly to the suitor’s cause ; the jumping at rapid conclusions ; the snapping-up those who are exercising their right to appeal for a careful examination of their grievance, he. it small nr great. The second is, unnccos- ( sarv delay in hearing cases ; in procrastination of pfioeeoding;, or in hurrying thorn

over. The third is a bias exhibited to the one side or the other, arising from ex pane statements, or knowledge arrived at from one channel out of doors. Where these things are done, the respect held of the judgment-seat is of a very slender kind. Disorganisation soon rules : the private afiairs and character of the judge are canvassed, and the motives that guide him are weighed in the balance. Not only this, but discontent begins to rule, and people begin to rebel, as by petitions, and loudly murmur foi’th their opinions. On the gold-fields of Victoria, this kind of administration of justice produced rebellion, in which men laid down their lives, and others wore maimed. Generally speaking, since the Ballarat riot, consideration has been paid to the miner’s wants. No matter how excellent are the laws, mining disputes will arise. It is in the nature of things—considering the adventurous pursuit of mining for gold; the excitement that naturally follows a new discovery; the rapid engagements that have to be entered into, and which the very emergency of the position forces on—that disputes should arise frequently. Hence the legislature established Wardens’ Courts, and gave easy access to them by holders of miners’ rights. It did more, and rightly too: it gave the miners the right to bring any question before the special tribunal affecting their interests—not as a privilege, but as a right. It even went further than this, giving the miners power, under certain conditions, to form and make laws for their own governance. The legislation as contained in the Gold-fields Acts of California, as well as of these Australasian Colonies, has always been of a careful and special kind. In New Zealand, our legislators, profiting by the experience of other gold-producing countries, have succeeded in enacting in the Gold-fields Acts a code of laws that have given general satisfaction. They have considered it desirable, however, while giving the miners special Courts and laws suited to their requirements, to tax them also specially to maintain them. They have given officers to whom the miner has a right to go, in the person of the Wardens. It is the duty of those officers to listen to and hear complaints, to carry out the intention of the people’s representatives ; and it was recognised that promptness in decision was one of the great wants of the gold-fields. As a safeguard, however, against any injustice arising from this suddenly-required administration of the law, numerous appeals were provided for, and it is creditable to those who sit on the Bench that this power is seldom exercised—far less in proportion to the number of cases hoard in the Wardens’ Courts than those that are adjudicated upon in the Supremo Court. ' Wo are endeavouring to state the case fairly, and to sliow that-those Wardens’ Courts have been most wisely created, and, if properly administered, cannot fail to have a beneficial influence and effect. Hut we arc quite certain that the Legislature never intended that the excellent machinery it created, as well as maintained at considerable cost, should be brought into contempt by any of the three causes we have alluded to. It is therefore with regret, wo. haver to call attention to the way justice is being administered in this district. The murmurs and petitions alluded to are becoming either so loud or so numerous that we cannot ignore them without being accused, if not of cowardice, at least of dereliction of our duty as an exponent of public opinion. We cannot, however—much as we should like—shut our ears to charges that should not lie allowed to be made. We cannot escape the performance of an unpleasant duty ; but we shall not specify particular complaints. It is useless to deny, however, that Mr Warden Pykr is arbitrary, and administers affairs with a very high hand indeed ; that he is likewise not a ' model of patience on the Bench, but rather of irritability ; and that the delays to suitors attending the Court he presides over are vexatious and costly. In stating | these matters we perform xn?J>y -u- jliiouc duty ; but we skriju’ia lee wanting in its fuL'ife’.vmt, if we did not bear testimony at "'the same time to tlie ability of Mr Pyke. That is not complained against ; and as none of the charges are venial, we hope tlie.se remarks—forced from us by recent proceedings—-will cause a change that may be more productive of harmony, and lead to a greater respect for the administration of the raining laws as well as for the seat of ! justice.

The fortnightly Escort which left Cromwell on Monday last took down 1430 ounces of gold, the Christmas washings-up contributing to the increase on tbo usual average. The body of a Cliiuam iu was found in Adams’s Gully, near Bannockburn, ou Monday morning last, by a shepherd employed on the Kawarau Station. It was in a very advanced state of decomposition, and had evidently lain for some weeks in the spot where it was found. Mr Halliday, of Bannockburn, who was informed of the discovery, at onoe convoyed information to the police at Cromwell, who proceeded to the spot and had the body removed in a box. A n inquest was held before Vincent I’yko, Esq., District Coroner, yesterday, at which no evidence as] to how deceased came by his death was lorthb lining, and a verdict of “Bound Dead” was accordingly icturncd.

On Wednesday last the Resident Mngis trate’s and Warden’s Courts did not sit until near three o’clock p.m., and people were kept waiting about under a blazing sun to that hour, to suit the convenience of the Warden. The grumbling on this occasion was both loud and deep, and as it is not the first time complaints have bean made touching the erratic way Courts have been held in Cromwell for the last few months, we mention the matter publicly. Formerly the attendance of Mr Warden Pyke on the appointed days was uncertain ; now, the hours are always long after noon. This want of punctuality creates much discontent, and causes considerable mconvenience. Moreover, the business is confined to a short period, and is “ rushed through,”—increasing the previous discontent, aud adding fuel to the fire.

The December number of the Illustrated New Zealand Herald contains a well-executed engraving, entitled “ The Bushman’s Bream,” from an original drawing by T. S. Cousins. It is printed in colours, and is certainly the finest specimen of colonial-engraving wc have yet seen. No trace has yet been discovered of the body of the unfortunate man Steel, who was drowned on Wednesday, the loth instant, while swimming from a raft which had become fixed on a rock in the Molyneux, a few miles above Wakefield.

a resident at Sowburn, scuds us the followin'; as liis solution of the “waterpipe problem ” published in this journal a few weeks ago : —“TheS-ineh pipe contains sixtyfour circular inches ; the two 4-iuch pipes only thirty-two ; therefore, allowing for decrease of friction anil greater capacity for pressure, the 8-inch pipe will carry nearly three times the quantity of the two 4-inch pipes.”—[Neither of our correspondents lias yet given the correct answer to the question propounded.] Wo arc glad to observe by an advertisement in another column that the first number of the Otago anil Southland Mining Journal is to appear on the Sth January. A ,l Fanners’ Supplement” will accompany each number, and will doubtless prove a great additional attraction to the new journal. A rather long and continuous wave of earthquake, rather than a shock, was felt in Cromwell about 4p. in. on Christmas Day. It lasted for a minute, and Our informant says he was lying on the sofa, and thought at first some one was shaking the side of the house next to him. The wave was also felt at Queenstown, and though quakes there are common enough, this one attracted attention owingto its duration. We have been informed that the Wardens of the various Gold-fields of this Province will probably arrive in Cromwell to-day, on their way to Bendigo Gully, whither they are hound on a tour of inspection. So far as wc can learn, the trip is not an official one.

The- annual examination of the children attending the Cromwell District School was held in the school-house on Thursday last. The average attendance at the school is about .14, and 42 were present at the examination. Mr M‘Kella r (the teacher), assisted by the Rev. Mr Drake and Mr Traer, conducted the examination, which was in every respect satisfactory, the children exhibiting great proficiency in the various branches which are taught at the school. Die-, tation, reading, spelling, arithmetic, parsing, writing, and geography wore successively engaged in, and in each a very creditable degree of efficiency was shown. In parsing and arithmetic, more especially, Mr MTvellar is to be congratulated upon the success which has at-

tended his exertions. In tho junior classes, many of the children acquitted themselves very creditably, affording a sufficient proof of the care and trouble taken with them as well as with the pupils in the higher classes. At intervals during the day, under the direction of Mr MTvellar, tho children sang several very nice pieces of music, with surprising correctness, and with a heartiness and pleasure which was ex ceedingly enjoyable to witness. A number of readings and recitations were also given. The examination lasted from teiy- f u ymvm.'.li' the evening (an hour being .allowed in the middle of the day for dinner), and at its conclusion prizes were distributed to the whole of the scholars—the Rev. Mr Drake, who presented them, addressing a few appropriate remarks to each recipient. The prizes, supplied by the Provincial Government, were anything but a suitable lot, and were also of an exceedi ingly poor description—not by any moans a just I reward for the intelligence and general pro- | ficiency shown by the majority of the scholars-The-attendance of visitors was rather scanty,— the absence of several members of the School Committee, who, out of courtesy to the teacher, should have been present, being especially noticeable. After the distribution of prizes, three hearty cheers were given for Mr M’Kellar, a similar compliment was paid to the visitors, and the scholars then dispersed for their Christmas holidays. We beg to remind our readers of-the concert to be lichl this evening, programme of which will be found in another column. During the past week the.various vocal and instrumental performers have been hard at work practising their respective pieces, and we anticipate that a very successful and really enjoyable concert will be the result. We understand that a large number of tickets have been sold. ! In our advertising columns W. S. Regan i challenges any one in the Dunatan district to ; run him lot) yards, Hat race or over hurdles, for I £SO a side.

A ball is announced to bo held in tho town-hall, Kawarau Gorge, on Friday evening next, proceeds to be given to the hall fund*. It will bo an agreeable wind-up to tho racing festivities, and no doubt a large company will assemble on the occasion. The annual Christmas races, hold 'at Lowburn on Monday last, wore visited by a . goodly number of our townspeople, and were • successful as usual. Messrs Lusoombe, and Jolly acted as stewards, and performed tneir duties in a very satisfactory manner. The sports | were held near Perriam’s Hotel, a portion of tho main road being chosen as the race-ground, dust of course being exceedingly plentiful. For the first race, three-quarter mile heats, eight horses started, but the running lay entirely between | Mr Dillon's bay cob, Doctor, and Mr Knudsen’s bay mare, Kate. In the first heat, Doctor and Kate came to the winning post ncck-and-neck, the rider of the former just landing his horab | sufficiently in advance of Kate to gain the first place. In the second heat a capital race ensued -* between Doctor and the mare, the remainder of i the horses bringing up the rear. In the third | heat, Doctor and Kate only started. They raced j neck-and-neck for about half the distance, when | the mare took the lead ; but unfortunately when | about two hundred yards from the winning post she became dead lame, and the colt rushed to | the front, thus winning the race. In the second I race (heats), live horses started. The two first ■; heats Were won by Mr Wilson’s bay marc Nelly, | the other horses being easily beaten. For the | trotting race six horses came to the post. Won j by Mr Fleming’s Polly. This race was not by 1 any means a good one, most of the horses break- | ing very frequently. Money was very plentiful i on the course, rolls of notes seeming to be the I rule rather than the exception, and betting was t extensively engaged in. At the conclusion of | the races, a foot-race between Tom Fairley and Miller, for £lO a side, was got up, Fairley | giving Miller 15 yards start out of 800. A good | start was effected, the race being won by Fair- J ley, who came in about five yards ahead of his | opponent: time, 37secs. A match for £5 a side I was then arranged between Fairley and W. S. % Regan (distance, 150 yards), the former getting j five yards start.. This was a capital race, Fair* J ley winning by about two yards : time, lOsecs. A good deal of money changed hands on these events.

The want of u sufficient supply of water for the town during the hot weather of the last two or three weeks has elicited many angry remarks, and the conduct of the Municipal Council has been strongly censured. A httlo't more water and a little less law would he hailed as a boon. »t present our water supply—for the saving of the mere expense of a man to after the race occasionally—is in a most di» ■ graceful condition. The Queenstown regatta, held on Mom day last, was, we hear, a complete success, thi attendance being excellent, the weather fin| and the racing good. A great crowd of boa) were out on the lake, and the day was kept as> strict holiday. On Monday afternoon a man, who was very much inebriated, essayed to cross tin Kawarau River by means of the wire rope be longing to the inhabitants of Cornish Town, hnt instead of waiting till he got fairly seated in tjio “chair,” he recklessly lot go the shore-line, at the same time grasping the suspenders with both hands, and in this dangerous position .was conveyed half-way across the river. It very fortunately happened that a miner was waiting to cross on the opposite hank, and by strenuous exertions he succeeded in hauling the “chair” on to the landing-place, and dragged the inebriate to a place of safety.

Wo take the following from thn Wellington Independent “ As the Flying Squadron will probably arrive here some time about the middle of January, it is high time some step* were taken to prepare for its reception. The squadron consists of six vessels, and the number of men on board is about ,‘iOUO ; the number of officers belonging to tlte ships is 11*2, but there are also a large number of supernumaries. The Challenger, Blanche, and ilosario will probably bo iq, '’harbor here along yith the ships of Squadron, bine ships of war in our port at one 1 j time will ho a sight worth seeing, and if they | can only stay three or four clays, the trades* people—especially those who supply the shore necessaries of life—"ill probably have no reason to regret the temporary presence of such a number nf new customers in these dull times.”