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Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 97, 19 September 1871, Page 4

The only case called for bearing in the Resident Magistrate’s Court here on Thuislay last was that of M'Nulty V. Wood, which, however, was adjourned, at plaintiffs request, until next Court-day, for the production of a material witness. Plaintiff was adjudged to pay defendant’s expenses (10s), and 2s costs of adjournment.

The genial Spring weather with which we have been favoured during the past ten days has been taken advantage of by numerous i arties of minors to prospect for quartz-reefs in the vicinity of the claims already taken up on tl c Carrick Range. The search has already proved successful in at least one instance,—application having been made at the Warden's office yesterday, by Robert M ‘Lachlan and a party of five others, for protection for a new quartz claim to the north of and immediately adjoining the Border Chief ground, The application will be heard next Court-day.

It is rumoured that a charge of bigamy against a female will shortly he brought before the Resident Magistrate at Cromwell for investigation. The accuser and accused have been residing in this neighbourho id for some time (although the fact was unknown to either until recently), and the lady is said to have been married for the second -time a few weeks ago, at Kawarau Gorge. Some curious revelations are expected when the case comes on for hearing, v

From the seventh annual report of the New Zealand Telegraph Department, recently published at 'Wellington, it appears that the number of telegraph stations in the Colony is seventy-two. Including the cable across Cook's Strait, there are now 2107 miles of line, carrying 3507 miles of wire. The number of messages transmitted by the Cromwell station during the year ended 30th June 1871, was 2758 ; by the Queenstown station, 4022 ; by the Clyde station, 3333 ; and by the Alexandra station, 1226.

In consequence of certain rumours in connection with the result of the recent crushing at the Colclough mill, Bendigo,—the yield from which was so unaccountably small as to give rise to unpleasant suspicions,— two of the shareholders, Messrs Colclough and Grant, have requested us to state that, lest the public might be unfavourably impressed with the manager, Mr Hawkes, they deem it only due to that gentleman to state that his personal character has not been at all impeached, and they have not ceased to place the fullest confidence in his management and integrity.

Mining matters at Cardrona are in a more prosperous condition than they have been for some time past. We learn that the damage caused by the various freshes during the last three or four weeks has been made good ; and the majority of the miners at work appear to be satisfied with their earnings. The Chinese are of course getting the lion’s share of the gold. Near the township, they are working the deep ground on a more gigantic scale than they have ever before boon known to attempt in this Province,—stripping large paddocks to the depth of thirty and forty feet, and constructing various kinds of appliances for cxpedionsly and elfee , lively working the ground. The Europeans)/! from the head of the Cardrona Creek to the ‘ lower end of the township, are all actively preparing for summer working, besides doing well in the meantime. A few are making as much as £lO and £l2 a week per man. The Deep Lead continues to attract the attention of the miners. Good gold has been struck in the Enterprise claim, and other parties working below have also met with payable stuff, Several claims have been taken up in the swamp, which will be troublesome ground to work. Messrs Gilraonr’s Hour-mill at the Arrow recommenced work on Tuesday last. The new castings have bean fitted, and it is to be hoped ! that their extra strength will effectually prevent I a recurrence of a similar accident to the last.

One of the most iVtlrtictive and enjoyable (Entertainments ever given in Cromwell was provide! by Messrs Sargiaon, Ilobinson, ami Webber, at Kidd’s Consort-room, on Saturday evening. The concert was opened with a selection of instrumental music, and the performances of Mr Sargiaon on the violin, Mr Robinson on the pianoforte, and Mr Whetter (wbo had kindly volunteered his services for the occasion) on the cermet, produced an effect upon the audience ’' i3 only first-class musicians can accomplish. • ".rgison ia a violinist of groat ability, and flQ 10 '’ were listened to with wrapt attention \ assembled. His exquisite ren.of that pearl of Scottish melodies, “ jffe?' Robin Gray,” was a genuine treat, and it «. Us rapturously applauded. Mr Robinson was well known in Victoria many years ago as a pianist of more than ordinary ability, and his favourable reputation was fully sustained on this occasion. Mr Webber proved himself a very talented musical comique, and his singing was thoroughly and heartily appreciated. The company intend giving a second concert in Cromwell on Thursday evening, on which occasion we anticipate they will have a crowded house.

Mr John Webb, Baptist Missionary to the Gold-fields, is announced to preach in th Cromwell School-house this evening. A waggoner named Harry Holmes, while on his way to Cardrona one day last week, was attacked with a fit of apoplexy, from the effects of which he became unconscious, and remained in that condition until Dr Corse arrived from Cromwell and administered restoratives. The occurrence took place at the Nineteen-Mile Creek, and very fortunately two other men happened to be travelling with Holmes’ waggon, otherwise medical aid would probably have arrived too late to be of service. The sufferer was conveyed to Cromwell in a buggy on Tuesday last, and was taken to the Bridge Hotel, where he was treated with every kindness and attention. Yesterday morning, Dr Corse informs us, the patient was so far recovered as to be able to take charge of his waggon, and proceed on the return journey to Dunedin. j We have lately heard frequent complaints as to the management of the post-office at Rocky Point. It appears that Upper Wakefield Ferry (where the post-office is located) has been closed for some time past, and the postmaster —a paid servant of her Majesty—only visits the place once every week, —that is, when the mail from Cromwell arrives on Wednesday morning. During the remainder of the week, the post-office remains closed, and there is no chance of getting letters or papers until the arrival of the mail the following week. Such a 1 state of things ought not to be allowed to exist, j and, in order if possible to remedy it, we respect- ! fully direct the attention of the Chief Postmas- \ ter to the grievance complained of. j We learn that a movement is on foot in j the Arrow district to establish a local Mining j Institute. The projectors propose to combine i with the usual museum of geological collections, j models of the most recent mining appliances, J levelling and boring apparatus, &c., and a library j of works on mining and mining engineering. A j building will in the meantime be secured for the j temporary use of the proposed Society, while j application is being made to Government for a ! permanent building, and to the Education Board | for suitable books on the same terms as granted 1 to public libraries.

From a series of statistical tables relating to the Trade and Interchange of New Zealand for the year 1870, prepared for presentation to the General Assembly during its present session, we glean the following interesting items of information : —The total value of the imports of the Colony for the year was £4,639,015. Otago stands highest on the list-, with £1,494,056; and Auckland next, with £1,319,901. The value of exports from the Colony for the same period was £4,822,756, —Otago’s contribution amounting to £1,457,215. Daring the year, 544,857 ozs. of gold, valued at £2,163,910, were exported from the Colony; Otago contributing £165,127 ozs., representing a value of £660,164. Wool ranks second on the list of articles exported,—the total quantity (from the Colony) being 37,039,763 lbs., valued at £1,703,944. The quota from this Province was 14,430,860 lbs., representing a value of £730,593. The value of wool exported from Otago in 1853 was only £3OO ; and from the whole of New Zealand, £63,507. In 1863 Otago mi l Southland exported wool to the value of £256,231 ; and the export from the Colony in the same year amounted to £330,595.—Fr0m a table published in the New Zealand Gazette of sth August last, we learn that the quantity of gild exported from the Colony from Ist April 1057 to 30th June 1871 was 5,897,009 ozs., of the estimated value of £22,918,177. The export of gold from Otago between the dates mentioned "'as 2,803,881 ozs., representing the gigantic sum of £10,946,960 sterling.

The TuapeJca Times states that Rennie, of Clyde gold robbery notoriety, is endeavoring, with every prospect of success," to obtain the reward offered by the Banks for the recovery of the stolen gold. The Mount Ida Spring Races are fixed to take place on Wednesday, 4th October.

THE GOLD ESCORT. —o— The Northern and Southern Escorts arrived at O media on Tuesday, the 4th inst,, with quantities of gold: or. dwts. Queenstown - - . 2107 4 Arrow .... 13 50 6 Cromwell • - . 1819 () Alexandra - - . 559 10 Teviot .... 545 0 haseby . - . 1604 0 Lawrence - . - 2053 4 Switzers . . . 1098 15 VVaitahuna • • . 447 3 Dunstau - - . 618 7 Blacks - 1000 0 St. Bathans - . . 320 0 Woolshed - . . 622 11 Total . . . 14,126 0