TELEGRAPHIC NEWS

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 85, 27 June 1871, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS

PER CREVILLE'S TELEGRAM COMPANY, REUTER'S AGENTS. THE PRINCES STREET FIRE. —STILL FURTHER SUSPICIOUS DISCLOSURES. THE TREASURER’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT. A DEFICIT OF L.54,228. DUNEDIR. Tuesday, 9.30 a.m. A man named George Clark was run over by a cab in the Octagon on Saturday, and killed instantaneously. Inquest was hold, and a verdict of accidental death returned. Charles Goldannner, the German carpenter, who was arrested by Detective Farrell on a charge of being accessory to the offence—arson—with which Reichelt was charged, and in whose possession were found live large unopened packages, a trunk, and several bundles and bags .filled with fancy articles, was brought up at the Mayor’s Court this morning, and discharged upon his turning Queen’s evidence. He declares that the goods found in his cottage were sold to him by Reichelt, who remains in custody. The athletic sports held on the Caledonian Society’s grounds, were attended by upwards of 4090 persons. The champions won every thing. The Provincial Government state that it is not their intention to advise the General Government to take measures to check Chinese immigration. The financial statement was made by the hon. the Treasurer, last evening, in a full House. Mr Bradshaw stated that the actual deficit for the financial year is £54,228 13s. Id. The revenue was L.04,450 9s 5d less than the estimate. There was a falling oil’ in every item. By carrying a number of items to the Deposit account, the year's deficit might be reduced to L. 49,000. The Bank overdraft is L.81,995, incurred in anticipation of revenue. There would have been no deficit if the Consolidated Revenue and Revenue fram Grown Lands had come up to the estimate. If the laws had permitted the placing in the market land required for setI tlcment without the intervention of the General Government or of irresponsible Commissioners, there would have been no deficiency, but only actual loss of the interest on overdrafts, for the Province had unsold land that would increase in value with the construction of railways. Unless the revenue were very largely added to in the future by the sale of lands, there would continue to be a large deficiency annually. The saving effected on the year’s appropriations was L.11,8G5. The ensuing year’s revenue is estimated at L. 287,890 — being L.40,000 less than the revenue of last year. The amount of revenue might possibly bo increased, but it was deficient consequent upon the action of the Colonial Legislature. The appropriations were less by L. 194,000, there being a large saving in departmental expenditure. The Treasurer concluded his Statement by urging the Council to resist to the Utmost the attempt to alienate the land fund from the control of the Province. Hutchinson, the coal-merchant’s, certificate , has been suspended for twelve months.

The Chairman stated the objects of the meeting to be—iirst, to provide some means of amusement for the public of Cromwell during the winter months ; and secondly, in order to devise moans of raising funds for the purchase or erection of a building suitable for the Library. The Library Committee had jnst held a meeting, and he might state that they fully concurred in the objects in view. It was for the present meeting to decide whether the funds accruing from the proposed entertainments should be devoted to the purpose indicated, or divided among other institutions. The Library Committee felt that it was only fair to let the public to decide whether the whole or only a portion of the funds should be appropriated to the purchase or erection of a library hall.—ln reply to a question by Mr Jolly, the Chairman mentioned that the Library Committee had some time since communicated with Mr Baircl, as chairman of the Athenaeum Building Committee formed eighteen months ago, with the view of ascertaining whether the £2O in the hands of that committee would be made available for the building of a hall under the auspices of the Library Committee ; and ho (the Chairman) had reason to think there would not be any difficulty in getting that sum for that purpose. After some desultory discussion, Mr Fraer moved the following resolution : " That a series of popular entertainments be initiated for the purpose of raising funds to provide an Athenamm Hall for the town of Cromwell ; and that the proceeds accruing from such entertainments shall be handed over to the Library Committee." Seconded by Mr Marsh, and carried. Mr C. Colclough proposed, and Mr Fraer seconded, the following proposition : " That the Library Committee shall not procure any building for the purposes of an Athenamm without first obtaining the sanction of a public meeting specially convened : such meeting to be held this day three months." Mr Marsh proposed, as an amendment: — " That the funds accruing from the proposed popular entertainments shall be left to the control of the Library Committee." This was seconded by Mr Matthews. The motion and amendment having been put to the meeting, the former was declared carried. It was tnen moved by Mr Fraer, seconded by Mr Smythies, and agreed to : "That a committee be now formed to carry out the proposed entertainments." Proposed by Mr Jolly, seconded by Mr Colclough, and adopted : " That the members of the Library Committee (Messrs Mackellar, Shanly, Taylor, Preshaw, Marsh, Pierce, and Ballard,) be e.c officio memburs of the Popular Entertainments Committee." On the motion of Mr Fraer, seconded by Mr Jolly, the following names were added. to the Committee, viz. : —Messrs Colclough,, Sansom, Fraer, Wright, Whetter, Matthews, Jolly, Brown, Fenwick, Baird, and Smythies —with power to add to their number. The business of the public meeting being now concluded, Mr Mackellar vacated the chair, and was immediately reinstated as chairman of the COMMITTEE MUKTIXIi. It was agreed by the Commit tee that the entertainments should consist of vocal and instrumental music, readings, and recitations, ar.d should be held every alternate Thursday, in the School-house. The Committee, after arranging several matters of detail, adjourned till Friday evening, when they again met, avid further progress was made in the arrangements for the opening entertain meat to take place next Thursday week.