CARDRONA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 183, 13 May 1873, Page 5

CARDRONA.

(feom ouk own uokresvondsnt.) May 7, 1873. Since the date of my last letter the muchdesired rain has fallen, and complaints as to j scarcity of water are much less frequent than formerly. We are reminded of the near api proach of winter by the appearance of slight ; frosts during the night. | Tne cost of living on the Cardrona has j been greatly reduced of late, chiefly in consequence of the rivalry caused by the establishment of several new stoves in and near j the township. The Improvement Committee continues to j put forth active and successful exertions for ! the benefit of the residents. Much good is j being done in the way of repairing roads and ! tracks ; whilst the establishment ot a Public ; Library in our midst will supply a want that | has long been keenly felt. The members of | the Improvement Committee cannot be sufficiently thanked for their indefatigable exerj tions in promoting the comfort and convenience of the dwellers in this secluded and I hitherto neglected portion of the gold-fields. The migratory tendencies of our Chinese population are at present in abeyance, the j late exodus to the Matatapu having come to jau end. The Chinese are, as a rule, more I successsul on the Cardrona than are the Euro- | peans. Several have departed lately for the | Flowery Land with a few hundreds each. The approaching regatta at Lake Wanaka exeit; s considerable interest among the lovers of aquatic sports here. \n effort is bein* made to organise two boats' crews to pull in a match, and I think we suad a fair chance of being very creditably renros-mted. It is now some months since Cardrona was visited by a minister of religion : indeed, in this respect, we are as badly off as ever. Now that the population has become in a manner settled, I think an occasional visit from tue ministers of adjacent districts would be generally appreciated. The claims on the Deep Lead are in much the satm state as when 1 last reported on them. T.ie Enterprise Company have got in with 3 iliirient fall to enable them to bottom the deep ground. The Hand of Hope are still pushing forward their tunnel tail-race, and in course of driving have crossed three or four " runs" which will, pay handsomely when they come to ue worked. The Empire and Banner of War are still aw iting the cancellation of part of Mr Timothy Cotter's agricultural lease. The shallow ground in the E-ipire claim cont ; nu"s to pay fair wages. The Union claim Ido not hear much of; but „,.e Young Pirate still givci payable r-suits.

The anrrev nf P>ond, Miokm, and Co.'a leis'j is not yet c immenoed. Tins fact afto/ds a slroug .i.r.; mien' iigiiast h'.tu maintenance of the Gold-fields Survey Department on ita present uuiJiwi«;.u at.cl .;.it.i.....-,-„..oiy baris.