Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, April 8, 1873.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 178, 8 April 1873, Page 5

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, April 8, 1873.

A paragraph which appeared in our issue of the 25th ultimo, in reference to the recent crushing for the Colleen Bawn Company at Mr Logan"s battery, has given rise to a certain amount of indignation on the part of the ma-chine-owner and his employes. Mr Alexander Rigg, the machine-manager, denied through our columns last week that the machine had been left unprotected (as we were led to believe) while the crushing was going on. Upon referring to our source of information, it turns out that what we were led to believe was a proved fact was nothing more than a mere guess—a hazarded suspicion. Mr Rigg's assertion, too, it is stated, can be fully borne out by the machine-hands. Therefore we are prepared to believe his statement, and are glad to hear that no opportunity was afforded for the abstraction of the amalgam. As regards the implication that carelessness in the process of cleaning-up had something to do with the matter, it gives us pleasure now to be able to state that one of the highest standing in his profession—Mr Reid, the mill-manager,—in company with two interested parties, examined the tables, ripples, &c., and gave it as his opinion that everything had been conducted with the utmost carefulness ; he could not find the slightest fault or flaw in any part of the process. This is testimony we are bound to accept, and, as we have said, it gives us pleasure to publish it. We much regret that anything should have appeared in the Argus which might be interifeted as in any way casting a doubt upon either the efficiency of the battery,—than which in the opinion of judges there is not a better in the Jl-rovince, —or the carefuluess and honesty of •those in charge. Every story has two sides ; and it seems that in this instance we have given publicity to the wrong one. We may add that we had what we considered good authority for our statements ; but, in the face of such evidence as is noticed above, it is only natural to conclude that non-fulfilment of false hopes had jaundiced the imaginations and opinions of the directors and shareholders. Mr Duncan MacKellar is the successful tenderer for the work required to be done in formin" a track from Cromwell to Cardrona over Mount Pisa. Commencing at Messrs Bedhead and party's water-race, about seven miles west of Cromwell, the track is to be marked out by chipping the grass, removing stones, &c, to the width of one foot, so that when completed a smooth path will be formed and be distinctly visible. There ar i three sections of side cutting -61 A chains in .ill; the width of cutting to be three feet, and the surface of the track, when finished, to be level. For the guidance of travellers in snowy weather, twenty snow-poles are to be erected on various parts of the rang;. The poles are to be of manuka, three inches in diameter and ten feet long, and to be sunk to a depth of three feet. The contract price for the whole work is £ll3 17s. (3d., and the track is to be completed in five weeks from date of signing the contract. Mr MacKellar leftOomwell yesterday morning, with a party of men fully equipped, en route for the summit of the mountain. In Dunedin, on Monday, 30th ult, the Wanaka West Station and the Wanaka East Station were submitted to auction. Mr Henry Campbell purchased both; the former for £IO,OOO, the latter for £4OOO. We are informed that the residents at the head of Lake Wanaka-are about to memorialise th? Superintendent with the view of getting a sum placed on the Estimates for improving the track from Newcastle to the Makarora (rid the Hawea Saddle). The track, at various points, winds along the face of precipitous cliffs, and being extremely narrow, has always been a dangerous road to travel. Numerous accidents, both to men and animals, have occurred on this track from time to time, and only the other day a gentleman on his way to Cromwt 1 had a narrow escape from being killed by tho fall of his horse on the slippery rock. It is be .Jieved that £l5O would do all that is absolutely necessary at present; but it should not be for Rotten that this track affords the only access by hnd to the forests of the Hawea and Wanaka. and that it forms a portion of the far-famed West Coast route explored some eight years ago hy Mr Pyke. It is rumoured that Mr Warden Pyke has obtained leave of absence for twelve months, hut the rumour lacks authoritative confirmation. A cake of gold from Young Australian quartz was lodged at the Bank of New Zealand on Saturday. The quantity of stone crushed was 115 tons, and the average yield per ton was lfi.| dwts. It is stated that 11 dwts. will clear all expenses, so that all above that average may be set down as profit. The stone was crushed at Logan's battery, Pipeclay Gully. The Evangelist for April presents several features of more than usual interest to all classes of readers. The usually monthly committee meeting of the B-innockburn and Cnrrick Range Miners' Association took place on Wednesday, 2nd hist. Present—Messrs Croubie. president ; Smiddy, Koch, Stewart, Menzies, Kcenig, Aitcbison, and Fenwick, bon. secretary. A letter was read from the Treasurer of the Otago Miners' Association, thanking the Bannockburn and Carrick l!ati«e Association for their remittance in aid of Hie funds of the Executive. On the motion of Mr Aitcbison, seconded by Mr Koenig, the Secretary was instructed to write to Messrs Hickey a nd Shepherd, also to Mr astiugs, Secretary for fiold-fields, asking those gentleman to use their utmost endeavours to obtain comnonage fnrthe Bannockburn and Carrick Range district. This was all the business before the meeting. The survey of the boundary-line between the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury, ni 3 just been completed by Mr J. A. Connell, °' Dnnodin. The time occupied in the survey was about six mouths.

Mr Baird, Receiver of Gold-fields Revenue, took up his quarters in the new Courthouse yesterday. The furniture and fittings have been supplied by Mr James Taylor, builder, and although the original specification was greatly modified with a view to economy, the materials are of excellent quality, and the workmanship is faultless. The old " dog-ken.iel" is to be removed from its present site and re-erected alongside the new building, where it will be used as a lumber-room. A public meeting, called by Mr W. J. Barry, was held at Kidd's Hall on' Friday evening, for the purpose of inquiring into the disposal of certain monies subscribed for the benefit of Mr J. Harding's family, who were burnt ouc in Cromwell four or five months ago. About thirty were present, and Mr Barry was appointed chairman. Mr Barry stated that shortly after the occurrence of the tire, Mr Fraer and himself agreed to collect subscriptions for the benefit of Mrs Harding and family, who lost nearly every stitch of clothing. He (Mr Barry) received a number of subscriptions, and handed the amount to Mr Fraer, who, as treasurer of the fund, gave bim a receipt. He believed that £24 or £25 in all had been deposited with Mr Fraer. He was in a position to state that Mrs Harding had not yet received a penny of the amount. He was now residing in another district, and wishing to get the matter settled up, he had that day asked Mr Fraer what had become of the money collected. M r Fraer replied that he had lost the'list, and at i the same time offered to refund the amounts to ; the several subscribers. Mr Fraer had been . asked by letter to attend the present meeting and give an explana'ion, but he had failed to do so. His (Mr Barry's) sole object in calling the meeting was to ascertain what had become of the money ; and he considered that he was now relieved from all responsibility in the matter. (Applause.)—Mr Whetter (a subscriber) said he ; had asked Mr Fraer whether the money had been handed over to Mrs Harding, and Mr Fraer replied it had not. Mr Howe suggested that a ; deputation of subscribers be appointed to wait upon Mr Fraer. Mi Taylor (also a subscriber) considered the mode of calling the meeting , [sending round a bellman] was objectionable. However, if Mr Barry's action was not the result of spleen, but simply an act of public duty, he was entitled to credit for taking the present step. Mr Fraer, he thought, should give some account of the money subscribed. He would move—" That the meeting request Mr Fraer to publish a list of the subscriptions received, together with a statement showing when and how the money had been disposed of.'' This was seconded by Mr Whetter, and was carrie.l unanimously. The interest of Mr Thomas Hall in the Royal Standard quartz claim was sold yesterday by the Bailiff for £23 K)s. Mr G. W. Goodger was the purchaser. The sale resulted from a distraint issued at the suit of the Nil Desperandum Q. M. Company. Mr J. P. Armstrong, dental surgeon, desires us to state that he intends leaving Cromwell this week ; therefore those who may be desirous of onsulting him before his departure had better lose no time in doing so. A very respectable and fairly numerous compvny responded to the invitation to be present at the Free Ball and Supper given by Mr Olsen, on Friday evening last, in connection with his assumption of the proprietorship of the Sluiccrs' Arms Hotel, Kawarau Gorge. Everything was conducted in first-class style, qui tly and pleasurably. One of the finest spreads ever put on any table in the district was done full justice to. and dancing was enjoyed until far on towards daybreak. Sir George Bowen, according to late-t telegrams, had arrived at Sydney, whence he was very shortly to proceed to Victoria. In Melbourne great preparations are being made to receive him, and it is considered his will be the grandest demonstration ever accorded to any Victoriau Governor.