Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL ; TUESDAY, JULY 11.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 87, 11 July 1871, Page 4

Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL ; TUESDAY, JULY 11.

Cur contemporary the Dunstan Times gives utterance to ideas of the crudest kind in connection with matters affecting the welfare of the mining districts. So immature and outre are they in many respects, that it is reasonable to believe our contemporary to be an adept in some of the usages characteristic of the aborigines of this hemi sj here. A ustraUan natives aro accustomed to the throwing of a peculiar weapon called the boomerang. This, if it foils to hit the mark at which it has been hurled, returns after a circuitous flight to the thrower, who, if ho be unskilled in its use, is apt to receive much injury from its misdirected efforts. This is precisely the condition of the Clyde journal, which, in a late issue, has been slinging its “ boomerang” quite disastrously for itself. It imputes partisan motives to the Committee appointed for the administration of justice to the goldlieids, and thinks mining communities will not get fair play. It admits that Clyde is not favourably looked upon as a site for the gaol, and yet ignores the fact that there are only itself and Cromwell to be chosen from for this purpose. The inevitable consequence must therefore be that Cromwell is most eligible, and will be selected. It deprecates tne exertions of our representatives, and pulls the “ long bow” a little in doing so. Why should Mr Hickey’s recommendations, hacked up by the unanimous support of his constituents, and the signatures of 700 petitioners, not have as as much effect in influencing the decision of the legislature as those of Mr Shepherd, the advocate of less numerous memorialists, and the representative of a house divided against itself! This is casting the boomerang ineffectually with a vengeance. It is a gross misstatement to assert that Mr Hickey was only returned by the smallest of majorities. If facts had been sought after before giving publicity to such direct falsification, lesser injury would then at least have been inflicted upon the tottering cause of Clyde by its Quixotic champion than is now irremediably committed, “ Where ignorance is bliss, <tc.” We will, however, supply the information held back upon this point. The number of votes polled collectively at the late elec-

tlon of a member for the Kawarau district was 199. The votes for the various candidates stood thus: Hickey, 84; Hughes, 62 ; Marsh, 53; giving Mr Hickey a clear majority of 22 votes beyond those of his closest competitor, and leaving him in the enviable position of having had recorded in his favour nearly one-half of the electoral suffrages, although there were two other able Richmonds in the field besides himself. Many famous Australian legislators, and not a few New Zealand ones as well, have ere now exchanged the toi’ some life of a digger for the no less arduou; duties of a senator; and though Mr Hickey did come up from Waitahuna the other day, as the Dunslan Times says, still, owing to his residence of over twenty months in the district, he has managed to make himself conversant with the wants of the place, a task not dilficult to a fairly intelligent man of common sense capacity. It is doubtless true that the trio, Messrs Bastings, Brown, and Hickey do not know much of the Duustan district, except from what is seen in and about Cromwell. But take Cromwell and its surroundings out of the district, and, lo ! what a change comes over the scene : Clyde dwindling to the finest point of tenuity, for Alexandra prefers acting by herself in all matters bearing on acts of public or local right. That the enormous population (what a stupenduous announcement!) located in the valley of the Molyneux does not regard Clyde as its geographical centre—whatever that may mean—is pretty well understood, we should imagine, by all acquainted with the topography of the Province. To the dwellers on its broad banks, and in its most settled and populous quarters from the Teviot to the Beaumont, Tuapeka is more contiguous and readily accessible than is the township adjacent to Alexandra, and known as Clyde. It is hard, though, that because persons are actuated by motives of regard for the public good, they should be abused, as have been those of Alexandra, by the local organ. Ah ! how applicable is the old saw—“ Save us from our friends !” How naive, too, the statement that signatures can be obtained to any petition on the gold-fields ! How complimentary to the miners who signed the Alexandra one, and to the diggers of Otago generally ! Would it be too much to ask, if this rule holds good, What value is attached to the 194 signatures appended to the Clyde memorial? Verily, there be scribes who “ darken counsel by words without knowledge.” , O It is scarcely worth while mentioning at greater length the self-imposed wounds of the unskilful boomerang-hurler, except to disabuse the minds of those misled bygarbled statement or impracticable suggestion. Out of the 700 signatures to the petition in favour of a Supreme Court at Cromwell, 200 are those of persons resident in the Lake country.

The finances of the Province do not admit of, nor the requirements of the district necessitate, the establishment of Supreme Court Sessions in all great mining centres. Such a view is absurd, and it is equally absurd to compare Otago with Victoria in that respect. Only plain realities will bo dealt with by the Legislature; impossibilities will not be countenanced. In conclusion, we cannot do better than lot the Dunstnn Times speak for ns, by quoting the conclusion of its last leader :—“ All “ will come right in the end: common “ sense must prevail.” Should such be the case, Clyde’s chances of selection for the Gaol, or the Supreme Court Sessions, are those of a very forlorn hope indeed.