THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1870.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 9, 5 January 1870, Page 2

THE Cromwell Argus. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1870.

In order to give our staff the customary New Year holiday, looked_ for by all, we have curtailed the size of the A Rous this week to six pages. Next week, and in future, our usual eight-paged paper will appear. We have been shown a splendid sample of stone from the Carrick Ranges. It was got in the boundary-line between the Royal Standard and Howson and party's claims, and would yield, we are reliably informed, something like fifty or sixty ounces to the ton. There are now five parties at work in this locality, but as yet none of them have struck the actual reef, although they have splendid indications, the leaders which are struck being very rich. Howson and party have put in a cutting between 50 and 60 feet> and are now going to carry in a tunnel to endeavour to strike the main reef. Work in all the other claims is now being vigorously resumed. Some commotion was caused in the township on Sunday evening by the extraordinary freak of an individul who had been imbibing rather too freely during the holidays. He had managed to find his way down to the edge of the Molyneux, immediately below the bridge, and expressed his intention of swimming across. Fortunately, however, the police were too sharp for him, and with considerable difficulty they scrambled down to the spot where he was engaged di vesting himself of bis clothes, and secured hiin. He was provided with a night's lodging in the camp, instead of at the bottom of the Molyneux, where he most assuredly would have been had he once got into the river, which runs at this spot with great rapidity. A Chinaman, who has recently been in the service of Mr Goodger, as cook at the Junction Commercial Hotel, has disappeared in a mysterious manner. He went out, is is supposed, to fetch a bucket of water a few days' since, and has not since been heard of. Just before going to press, we were informed that a fatal accident occurred to Mr Thomas Ueddes, of Fourteen-mile Beach. From particulars snpplied us, we gather that Mr Geddes was working in. a paddock, when a huge which hung threatenly ovorhead, suddenly came\ down upon the unfortunate man, smashing his head completely to a jolly. Our informant was linablo bo supply ua with auy further particulars. II >

The s.s. Oineo, with the English mails on board, arrived at Port Chalmers on Wednesday morning last. The Cromwell portion of tho mails was delivered on Monday morning. The statutory annual meetings for the eloction of School Committees throughout ths Province take place in the various school-houses On Monday next, the 10th inat. As the election of a good School Committee ia a matter of great importance, we trust those who are interested in this district will make it a point to attend. Mr C. Beeby's annual Art Union of Jewellery was drawn for in the Council Chamber on Friday evening last. A list of the winning numbers appears in our advertising columns. During the hearing of the evidence at the inquest on the body of Mr J. W. Garrett, Dr Corse was called upon to attend a miner named Williamson, who had met with > severe accident near the Gentle Annie. From particulars supplied us we learn that the sufferer fell over a dam-wall, of considerable height, his head coming in contact with some large stones, laying the skull bare from the base to the frontal bone. Dr Corse sewed up the wound (no less than 42 stitches being required), audth© patient is now in a fair way of recovery. On Saturday afternoon, about four o'clock, Mr Rpiston, who is well known in this district, left M'Pherson's Hotel in order to remove somo sheep from an island st short distance below Wakefield Ferry. It appears that Mr Ralston was in the habit of leaving sheep on the island from time to time, wading through a shallow arm of the river (Clutha) in order to reach them. On leaving, he took with him a pair of long ''gum" boots to enable him to crosa to and from the island without getting wet. He expressed his intention of returning the same evening, and as ha made no appearance, Mr M'Pherson felt rather uneasy, but thought he might have gone to Messrs Loughnan's station, where he frequently stayed for the night. In the morning, however, no tidings were heard of him, and Mr M'Pherson communicated with Sergeant Cassells, who, in company with Messrs Loughnan, of Mount Pisa Station, and a number of their men, instituted a search, but with no better result than finding Mr Ralston's boots at the edge of the river where he had attempted to cross. On Monday, Sergeant Cassels procured a boat and grappling-irons, and, assisted by the the Messrs Loughuan, dragged the bottom of the river for a considerable distance between the two ferries, but the searchers could find no trace of the missing man ; and there is too much reason to fear that he was overpowered by the current, carried down the river, and drowned. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday evening, the Mayor and Crs. Badger, Burres, Dawkins, and Dagg being present. A letter was received from Mr Kidd, applying for 100 ft. frontage of Municipal Reserve opposite his, premises.—Granted. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to Mr W. J. Barry, informing him that his application for 35ft. of Municipal Reserve between the Town Hall and Mr W. J. Goodger's hotel, was granted, subject to a specified rental. Tho Town Clerk Was also instructed to write to the Chief Oommissirner of Stamps, Wellington, urging upon him the immediate necessity of appointing a Distributor of Stamps. On the motion of Cr. Badger, seconded by Cr. Burres, it wss resolved that a memorial be forwarded to the Superintendent and Executive Council, urging the necessity of throwing open tho lands in the neighbourhood of Cromwell, for grazing and agricultural purposes. Mr Dawkins was granted permission to erect an awning in front of his premises. Cr. Burres was elected a member of the Finance Committee, and Cr. Dawkins of the Public Works Committee ; and the Council then adjourned.