TALL TALK.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 179, 15 April 1873, Page 6

TALL TALK.

To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sir,—Having for some time had opportunities •of. seeing the Dunstan Times, I cannot but acknowledge that the Clyde people ought highly to appreciate their local paper, for it advocates their opinions in tall talk to the letter. In last Friday's publication we have again the full particulars of the conditions upon which the Government is prepared to receive offers for the construction of a bridge over the Molyneux at Clyde. I can scarcely read the conditions without seriously thinking the Government Engineer must be poking fun at the influential inhabitants of that town, knowing what enormous sums they have expended in private enterprise. I have no doubt whatever but our neighbours will at once furnish the money for such an important undertaking. Having a partial knowledge of the locality, I can at once see the immense advantage offered in one of the conditions—viz., that the promoters will be allowed to cut timber in ■any Government bush free of charge:—for instance, the bush about West wood's garden—for I believe that is upon a Government reserve, — "besides the fine timber his currant and gooseberry bushes would afford. Again, there are locally-made bricks, of splendid quality, that might be used for the piers. And no doubt a oertain Councillor—a leading man in the town—would tender at the very lowest price to putty "the heavy timber together, thereby saving a large item in iron. However, I cannot but feel certain the Clydeites must have the money, and that they will commence immediately—if they liave not begun already—and congratulate the country at large that before the coming winter sets in we shall see a splendid structure crossing the river at Clyde. The bridge completed, and the ferry consequently of no further use, I am -given to understand that a certain citizen (an ox M.P.C.) will endeavour to raise sufficient •capital to connect the bridge with the Nevis and its dependencies by means of a railway tunnel passing through the Carrick Ranges. Again, a flour-mill has been talked about, the prospeetus having been out some time; and now that a mill is likely to be erected at Tiger Hill, the Clyde capitalists (so says the Times) intend -commencing theirs immediately. The site has not yet been decided on, the want of sufficient -water being an obstacle, (although I believe the "want of money is a greater one). If the projectors would allow me to suggest a site, I should isay the north end of the town —at the culvert, — there being a fine fall. As there cannot be the slightest doubt that the Supreme Court and prisons for the Central Interior will be located at Clyde, the promoters might—in case of a xleficiency of water—arrange with the Government to have a treadmill for the amusement of the lunatics and prisoners, until such time as the proposed scheme of bringing the Lindis river over the hills is completed. I merely offer this as a suggestion. No doubt our friends below, having a large amount of capital to spare, will show the world a lesson as to how to obtaiu the enormously rich deposits of gold lying in the Molyneux, by fitting out steam dredges of say 1000 horse - power, pneumatic tubes of say 100 feet in diameter, boats of all sizes constructed on Nuttall's principle, &c. By-the-bye, speaking of that gentleman, in last Friday's issue of that extensivelycirculated paper, the Dunstan Times, a letter appears in which he speaks of the enormous amount of talk as to how he would be supported in his new project at Clyde ; but it seems he would prefer a little money for shares from the wealthy citizens, rather than gas from the local paper. In conclusion, Mr Editor, I hope you will warn your readers not to be jealous of our neighbours and their extensive undertakings, but to wait till our turn comes.—Yours, &c, Cromwell, April 14. Go Ahead.