Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1872.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 156, 15 October 1872, Page 4

Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1872.

; The Stafford Ministry, after but three short weeks' occupancy of the Government b uiclies, have been dethroned, by the very narrow majority of two, and a new Ministry, formed by Mr VoaiiL. now wield the sceptre of power. The Colony will have cause for regret that Mr Stafford has been thus displaced. His conscientiousness and ability are admitted by all who view public nutters uriiuflaeiiewl by party prejudice ; and he his proved, by previous administration, that he can successfully practise retrenchment. But his ousting, although it must be regretted, cannot occasion .surprise. His colleagues could not command the confidence of the House. fhree Superintendents and a Provincial Secretary were no fitting co-advisers for an avowed Centralist like Mr Si afford, and they proved his stumbling-block. But there is greit room far doubt that the new Ministry will meet with any firmer trust; indeed, we think they will not. Few have faith in Mr Vor.KL. His political career has given ample evidence that lie is original in conception and clever in figures; but it is an origin dity tint too closely approaches the wild and fanciful liearnings of a visionary, and a cleverness that promises to land t'le Colony in bankruptcy. Mr Watkrhouss must be considered as a vast improvement, as Premier upon Mr Fox. He is, indeed, the redeeming feature in the new Ministry. And, judging from his utterances in the early part of the session, when the reply to the Governor's address was under consideration in the Upper House, it may be believed that he will carefully watch the workingout of the grand scheme of Public Works an 1 Immigration, that he will be no pu'ty to dubious dealings in connection with it such as were so convincingly exposed by Mr Keid during the late debate. It is rather a singular circumstance in connection with the recent changes of Ministries, that personal, not political, considerations have been their mainspring, finis, no great question of policy was the rock upon which the Fox Government foiled. The House fully recognised that to draw back, or to stop, in the gigantic scheme of works to which we stand committed was destruction, and certain ruin ; lint that, in the hands of the FoxVoUKL Ministry, the ruin was likejv to be averted, the House declared its to conceive. And Vr Stafford and' hjV a - 1 leagues seem to have found no greater . ". / vour in regard to the amount of trust the House could repose in them as theexecuters of the scheme. The new Government, it is probable, will please no Unless Mr Wats'lUO'J.se turn the scale, it is impossible they can command a working ma* jority. When Mr Stafford, upon the , pica of the non-existence of such a m ijority j for eithar party, ct|kgd for a dissolution, | to test the feelin^^.fjrcountry, the ! Governor refused, following as

one of his reasons :■ —" He was not sure whether a new administration could not be formed on such a wide basis as to command the confidence of the House and ' Country." ft remains to be seen whether, in the opinion of the House, this " wide ' basis" has been secured. But the country, we feel confident, cannot be satisfied while 'Voqsl remains at the helm. No dependence can be placed in him that he is fit to economically and beneficially administer vi-- iLkj i_«_v i" mo gntuu ouiiciiic wuiuu muSu uuw eHiief make or mar the fortunes of the Colony. Leaving his idealistic tendencies out of the question, party considerations have too strong an influence upon his " ways and doings" : his ways are wayward, and his doings are dark, and it is questionable whether a vote does not sometimes command a railway. Here it is that the country must pin its faith on Mr Waterho use's ability to check such " little games." In connection with this last " no-confi-dence" motion, we are glad to see that no time was wasted in debate. From what ever cause this proceeded,—whether that Mr Stafford was " calm in the consciousness of ais strength," or that he was convinced of the inutility of delay,—it is a pleasing feature, and one we would wish to see oftsner in such cases.

The Public Library Committee has been successful in obtaining the sanction of the Provincial Government to its application for an endowment of land for the benefit of the institution. A letter addressed to the Vice-President of Committee by the Under-Secretary, and dated 3rd inst., states that "the Government has agree I to set aside the portion of Messrs Loughnan's run which those gentlemen have agree 1 shall be taken for that purpose, pending its permanent reservation by the Provincial Council at its next session." The land referred to is situated on the Lower Flat, an 1 comprises the whole of the ground between the m lin road and the Clutha river as far north war I as the Lowburu. The present occupiers—Messrs G. W. Goolger, H. Kidd, T. Johnston, G. and W. Tett, and John Perriam—will have the option of leasing the ground from the Library Committee for an almost nominal rental. The feeling of insecurity arising from their present precarious tenure will no longer exist, and the lessees will be in a position to exercise all the rights and privileges conferred by a substantial and legitimate title.

. A meeting of Directors of the Carrick Range Water Supply Company was held at the Bridge Hotel on Saturday evening, the principal business being the consideration of the tenders received for cutting the race, Fifteen tenders were .opened, and two of these were accepted, viz., that of Mr Roger Donegan for sections3,4,s, (J, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, at 395. per chain ; and that of Messrs Barrett and Co. for sections 12, 13, an 1 14, at 50s. per chain. Each section is 20 chains iu length, ami the total length contracted for is therefore three miles. This is exclusive of the two half-mile sections now being constructed by day-labour under the manager's immediate supervision. The comparatively high amount of the tender accepted for sections 12, 13, and 14, i 3 explained by the fact that in those sections a considerable portion of rock-cutting will be necessary in forming the channel of the race. The weather is now sufficiently mild to permit the work to go on without interruption, and we hope within a few weeks to be able to report very consi lerable progress.

Mr John Jenkins, an employee of the Star of the Fast Company, met with an accident on Sunday, while returning on horseback from Clyde to Cromwell, in company with Mr Griffiths. A sudden gust of wind blew Mr Griffiths' hat off his head, whereupon the horse Mr Jenkins was ri ling became restive and threw its rider heavily to the ground. The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Falcon Hotel, to which Mr Jenkins was carried iu an insensible condition. He was soon afterwards attended by Dr Lake, who found he hud sustained a slight concussion of the brain ; but the injury, we are glad to hear, is not of a very serious nature. A small but talented and versatile dramatic company is announced to perform at Ki.ld's Concert-hall this evening, The Mount Ida Chronicle reports in very favourable terms of the performances .given at Naseby by the companv, and we have no doubt the various artistes will fully sustain tbe recommendation of our conteinporarv inidirir performance here. A private telegram received in Cromwell

yesterday afternoon states that the mine ami machinery of the Oolciough Q M. Company at Bendigo were purchased at auc ion for £720. The purchase was made on behalf of a new company, consisting of twelve shareholders, the mvjority of whom hell interests in the original company. We learn that a deposit of £ 1!)J was paid, previous to the sale, by each shareholder in the n|w company ; consequently there will lie a veri balanco of available forthe of operations at the

The concert and ball in aid of the funds of the Bannockbnrn school are to take place ia the Schoolroom there on Friday evening. A n excellent programme, and moonlight, are guarantees that this entertainment will be no less successful than those hitherto given.

A telegram was received on Tuesday last from Mr David Todd, Balclutha, intimating his acceptance of the appointment of teacher of the Cromwell School, and expressing his intention to enter upon his duties about the end of next month.

The Standard battery, having finished a crushing of 67 tons for the Caledonian, ia now engaged on a small lot from the New ltoyal Standard. About 501bs of arsenical pyrites, collected from off the battery plate 3 of the Otago Pioneer Quartz Mining Co. Waipori, yielded, on being treated at the Government battery, 1 oz. 19dwts. 6 grs. A sample of the same forwarded to Dr Hector, yielded at the rate of 70 oz. to the ton. A man named Austin Lawrence Power died very suddenly in Dunedin last Wednesday. The immediate cause of death was heart disease. Deceased was 63 years of *ige, and of very temperate habits, but had been ailing for the last three years. The Albertown annual race meetin" comes off next Friday and Saturday. The stakes to be run for are unprecedentedly large, and the events sufficiently numerous to warrant the anticipation that the attendance will be far more numerous than at any former meeting in that locality.

The proprietors of the Swan Brewery invite the public to sample their beer at mid-day to-morrow (Wednesday). We doubt not but many of our townsmen will testify their desire to encourage local industry and enterprise in the production of malt liquors by responding to the invitation.

We observe from an advertisement in another place that Mr D. MacKetlar has been appointed local agent for the Norwich Union Fire and Life Insurance Company.

The Heart of Oak Company completed a crushing of 217 tons at the Star-and-Oak bat teryon Thursday, with a result of 265 ozs. 5 dwts. of gold,—the average per ton being 1 oz. 44 dwts.

We again direct attention to the advertised auction sale of Elsw ; ck colts to take place at Wanaka Stitiou on Saturdiy next. A number of other useful horses will also be offered at the same time and place. A meeting of collectors of the fund in aid of William Jones, the miner who was so seriously hurt a short time since at the Carrick reefs, was held on Thursday- week, the 3rd inst,, at Hoirigan's Hotel, Carrickton ; Mr John Midford, secretary, in the chair. The meeting was resolved into a Committee of the whole to appoint trustees, and direct the disposal of the fund. Messrs Towan and WlUuum were appointed trustees. Some of the lists being still open, it was resolved to defer publication of subscribers' names in the hope of adding to their number. The amount at present collected is £127 lis. The expenses to be de ucted are as follow :—Dr Lake, £52 10s. ; Mr Speedy, (two days' and two nights' constant attendance,') £5 ; Nurse, £6 os. ; and Medicine, £1 7s. ; amounting altogether to £OS 2s. Thus there is left a balance of £O2 os., to be placed to the credit of the trustees in the Bank of New .South Wales and afterwards disposed of for the benefit of W. Jones according to their discretion. The Committee take pleasure in returning their thanks to Dr Lake for the watchful care and skill manifested by him in the case ; also for his handsome donation of £22 Ills, to the fund. They also desire to return sincere thanks to the subscribers, and gratku.le to Mi- and Mrs rlorrigan, Mes lames Simpson and Harding, and to Mr Hazlett, of Quartzville. for kindnesses bestowed upon the sufferer p ( eviuiis to his removal to the Dunstan Hospital. A meeting of the Cromwell Library Committee was held in the Town hall on the evening of Tuesday, B>h inst. Mr MacKellar, vice-president, occupied the chair ; ami the other members preseut were Messrs Shanl.-, Pierce Taylor, Colclough. Mardi, JBair 1, Matthews, and Jolly, (hon. secretary.) Amongst the inward correspondence r ad and received was a letter from Mr Charles Jenour, of Berlin, Victoria, accompanying a donation of books (consisting of five volumes of works republished by theCoblen Club) from that gentleman to the Public Library. The Committee requested the hon. secretary to write a letter of thanks to the donor. A letter was read from the Town-Clerk, requesting by direction of the Municipal Council, that the room used for the purposes of the library should be kept in good order. The lunarian was directed to attend to ih: matter. The tieasurer was requested to transmit a draft for £lO to the Committee's London agenfs. together with a revised list of papers and magazines required to be sent to the library during the next twelve months. The librarian (Mr J. M. Kelly) reported that he had called-in the bo-.iks, and found that on the dale of meeting 24 volu nes were still out,—ls of them being in the bauds of subscribers, and ybJjOissing. The report was received and concluded the bus;-

The Popular Entertainment Committee are summoned to meet in the Schoolroom this evening, at seven o'clock. Mr Anthony Trollope was banqueted in Auckland on the 2nd inst., prior to his departure from the Colony. Chief Justice Arney occupied the chair. Mr Trollope said he was delighted at the kindness shewn him in New Zealand. He thought New Zaalaud knew how to borrow money, and how to spend it in a satisfactoiy manner. The roads and railways, if carried oat, would enable is to repay twofold the money borrowed. It had done more than the other Colonies in so short a history. It had acquired its lands honestly from the Natives by purchase, • nd he hoped that the Islands would never be divided.

The Melbourne correspondent of the Daily Times tells this curious story, which he cut from a correspondent's letter in a country paper: —'• A curious story of misfortune, that may happen to a woman in Victoria, has jus. been told to me. Some six years ago, a pretsy Irish 1 iss was wooed and won by an apparently respectable engineer. He had property and money, and for some years they lived happil and lovingly together. She had four children, and the husband died. He had kept his secret well, for not even on his death-bed did he whisper a word as to the ' wife and bairnies' live he had left behind in England. The pour girl was surprised one day, not long after the man's den hj, by the sudden entrance of a stout matron, wiih her five children, who proclaimed her name and her rights. She succeeded in establishing herself, leaving the deceived second wife in the poorest ciacumstances. Friends, who knew the story, subscribed, and placed her in a nice hi riling -house, where she maintained herself and chil dren comfortably for a couple of years. Amongst her boarders was a Scotchman, of th: sun ; pto fessiou as her first husband. He married her a few months ago ; but by the Northumberland, a day or two ago, there arrived a sec nd surprise, in the shape of another wife and five chik(run—the responsibilities of her second husband. It is to be hope I that a third misfortuue of the same kind will not reach this victim of circumstances."

From ;in Auckland telegram in. the Evening Star, we take the following :—A false alarm of iire, raised at the Theatre on Saturday night, (the sth iiut.,) while Miss Pose Evan was playing Hamlet to a crow lei house, cause 1 a panic, which, however, was cheoke.l before any injury was done. O.ie la ly was thrown into a lit of hysterics with fright.—A good instance o Maori cunning occurred at Coromatulel, wh.re a Maori chief, against whom a writ for debt Lad been issue;), conducted the bailiff twice through a Maori encampment in search of himself; and the bailiff returned to Court unsuccessful, whil the Maori took his departure by boat for a settlement at a distance. Melbourne news states that Weechurcli has had his sentence commuted to imprisoamen for life, the first three years in irons. The murderess O'Douoghue is sentence 1 to twenty one years' imprisonment, including three years' har labour.

The following is a copy of a notice placed iu an hotel at one of the seaside towns in ihi-3 Province.—"Loat or Stoled."—A red kaf. Hhad a white spot; on lof his- hehin I leggs. Hj was a she kaf. I will give .'3 shillings to everyboddie wot will bring him hoara at wonst."— Lyttdton Times. The Taaps/ea Toms of the 16th insbint says :—Messrs Hardy and Co., Manuka Creek, have washed up after a fortnight's running. '1 hj last wash-up yielded 1-0 ozs. ; and the presen; one, it i 5 rumoured, will give 250 ozs. Xot .-o bad for Otago. The following are the dates of the pvin eipal race meetings on the Northern Goldiield during the coming sonami :—Mount Ida, 1 ?f> and 13th December; Cromwell, 23;h and 27t'> December; Like District, i3i.h and 17th Jamary ; an I Danstin, 6th aul 7th Fjbrnary. Wo learn by telegraph that His Honor the Supeiiutenlent, as soon as the resignation of the Stafford Ministry became known, onvred to Mr Donald Ueid to reinstate him in the oihee of Provincial Secretary, from which as a duty he had been dismissed on his acceptance of a p >rtfolio in Mr Stafford's Cabinet. Evening Star. The Evening Star says :—The mannfacuring career of New Zea'and is beginnimr. Orders have been received from Ta lix by M >ssr A J. Burns and Co. fir sevenl kinds of wo Yew. and we hope they .nil be a'de to make such arrangements for tran it as to lead to an extensive trade with that populous country.

The Thames correspondent of an Auckland paper says that the Mining Accident Relief Fun,! Association at the former place i< strengthening mightily, and already numbers nearly three hundred members. The miners a-e paying greater attention to, and regard with in o easel favour, the co-operative system, introduced by Mr S. K Richards, the Caledoniamine manager, for the purpose of ex ten ling s ib stantial relief to those unfortunates who ma; be overtaken by mishap whilst following their hazardous occupation. New navies are daily being added to the relief-fund list, and, at the rate it is increasing, the great majority of the miners will be enrolled before six mouths have expired.

I Mr John M. M'Lean, manager for Mr I John M'Lean, Morven Hills, lias been appointed f an Honorary Sheep Inspector by his Honor tho buperintendeat.

At Hyde, the other day, wo learn from the Mmint.lda Chronicle, Mr Warden Robinson adjourned bis Court, with a number of applications still unheard, at three o'clock in tho morning. Regarding Mi- Smythies' compensation c'aim, we take the following from the letter of the Wellington correspondent of the Daily Times: —" Mr Bathgate's motion for compensation to Mr Smythies cauio on yesterday. In mo\ing tho following resolution:—• 'i hat a respectful address be presente I to his Excellency the Governor, requo ting him to pi ice the sum of en the Escmntes, to be paid to Mr Smythies, for losses sustained by him through the operation of the Law Practitioners Act, 18u(5.' he stated that he had personally examined Smythies' books, and found that in his first year's prac i.e Air Smythies had made £294, in the second year £BIO, and in the nine months of the third jear, when he was suspended, £1027. Taking tho business, therefore, at three years' purchase, at £15)0, an I allowing him tint sum fir each ol the four ye ,rs he had been debarred, it would seem that Mr Smythies was entitled to £IO,OOO, in addition to the expenses he had been put to. He (Mr Bathgate) did not, however, himself inten Ito fill up the blauk in the motion. Mr Murray then proposed to till it up with £IOOO. Mr Vogel then took up Mr Smytbies's cause, stating him to be a most cruelly wronged man, and advocating his claim to an annual pension lather than a fixed grant, as it seeaied hopeless to expect his readmis3ion now. Mr Vogel spoke pretty strongly of the conduct of those who had hunted and perscuutjd Mr Smythies."