Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, July 1, 1873.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 190, 1 July 1873, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, July 1, 1873.

Election tumult is now over, and whatever the object for which it was raised out of proper season, its results may be considered satisfactory. Mr Macandrew has played his cards well. For another four years, by a kind of judicious striking while the iron was hot—exactly hitting the happy moment when his popularity wag high, perhaps at the highest—he has been elected to fill the position of Superintendent. Not, however, by any very signal majority : as he himself, in his speech at the official declaration, is constrained half to admit. But the manner in which he speaks of this majority is highly characteristic of his happy knack of looking at all things from the brightest side. It is amusing, and pleasing too, to see him take comfort, and even honour and glory, from what to most others would have seemed but a sorry victory, on which comment had best be meagre. He is reported to have said ; Gentlemen, allow me to thank you again sincerely, and through you the electors throughout the Province, for the proud position in which by the grace of God and the will of the people lam for the fourth time placed. I do not desire to give expression to any undue exaltation on the present occasion, although 1 think I should lie unworthy of the position I occupy did I not feel somewhat elated under all the circumstances of the case. I will venture to say that never has there been in New Zealand a Superinteiideuta!, or any other election, which has been so absolutely the result of the intelligent convictions of the people as the present. There is no doubt, ientlemen, that the honour that has been conferred np'in me is enhanced a thousand-fold from the fact that I have been elected by people scattered throughout a territory as large as Scotland without addressing one public meeting, and without leaving my office in Dunedin. 1 say, gentlemen, that to my mind that fact enhances the honour a thousand-fold ; and no doubt, had I been able to stump the country, and to have contradicted the misrepresentations and misstatements which hare been sown broadcast from Dan to Beersheba—from one end of the country to the other—l. say, had I been able to stump the country and contradict those statements—statements that have been uttered with all the vigour and eloquence for which my opponent is distinguished—instead of having a majority of 1100, I believe I should have polled five to one, and not on personal but on public grounds. I believe the majority of the electors on this occasion have most emphatically declared that they are sick of playing at Parliament ; that they desire to see their representatives more concerned about measures than men ; that they have emphatically declared that the Superintendent, as the elected head of the people, is not to be insulted ; that he is not to be a man whose motto is to set any one class against the other; but that he shall pay equal attention, and render equal justice, to all interests in the community, whether they be pastoral, mining, agricultural, or mercantile. Mr Macandrew bas his faults, and many of them, big and little ; but with them all, we are disposed to think that the electors have chosen wisely. Perhaps occasionally in matters of no great moment, they may have occasion to rue their choice ; but we believe that in the end the result will be a satisfactory one as regards that material progress we all hope to see. There can be no question that the elecI tious have improved the personnel of the j Council. The changes that have taken I place arc, generally speaking, for the I better. As a whole, the new Council is - composed of men of better education, j higher standing, and honester principles, 1 i than was the last. Some of the gold-fields'! • • • ® constituencies, especially, are to be congratulated on the changes they have seen fit to make. That nice trio —Shepherd, Mervyn, Hickey— where are they? All three i have given place to hotter men, and their constituencies need no longer blush under the shame of so miserable a representation, Bradshaw, too, and Armstrong are cer-j tainly no great loss. The former possesses j something of the adventurer character ini politics ; the latter simply mistook his “forte,” and when a better man was to he] had, the Mount Ida electors rectified tltf

roistake for him. Altogether, it may be gafelv affirmed that the new Council will lose nothing by comparison in all characteristics with any previous one. Perhaps it is not going too far to say that a better average of intelligence and efficiency in representatives could not be expected. It would be premature to speak, at any rate with any degree of fancied correctness, of the balance of parties in the House. During the elections, there has been a tendency to pander somewhat to the prejudices in favour of the newfiishioned cry of Progress; and several of the new men, and even some of the old, whose sympathies were-strong on the side of Mr Keid throughout the recent course of affairs, were returned on a kind of tied-lo-no-party policy. Candidates found it convenient to affect this “ticket,” and were disposed to sink and decline consideration of the circumstances out of which the dissolution arose. But, once secure in their seats, it may be, if the time should come for an expression of opinion, that former sympathies will come to the front, and that the number of those now reckoned as Government supporters and as neutralists, will suffer a decrease. .Still it is hard to believe that Mr Gillies is correct, when, following his Honor at the declaration of the poll, and speaking as a member of Mr Reid’s party, he says : “ Wo know that the Council that has been elected is a stronger one on our side than the last, and it will prove to be so, both in voting and debating power.” Very probably Mr Reid may have something of a majority ; but, so far as it is possible to judge at present, we think it likely to be less strong in the new than in the old Council.

The Star of the East Company finished a crushing of 200 tons on Thursday last The quantity of gold obtained was G7 ozs. The Tuapeka Times is responsible for the following : —“ On dit that the Morning Star has been purchased by a company in Dunedin, and that Mr Pyke is to edit.” Mr D. MaoKellar, M. P.C. for Kawarau, left Cromwell en route for Dunedin on Friday evening. It is expected the session will not extend beyond a fortnight or three weeks. A gentleman who came over the Garrick Range on Saturday describes the Nevis as being completely frost- bound, and states on the road thither the snow lies in many places to the depth of two feet and upwards. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, only one case came on for hearing—namely, Maurice Marshall v. James Robertson, a claim for wages amounting to £lB. Defendant pahl £9 2s. into Court, and his Worship gave judgment for £1 over that amount, with costs. We understand that the Heart of Oak and Star of the East Companies allowed the men on strike three days to make up their minds as to accepting the reduced rate of wages offered them,—namely, £3 ss.;—and that the men unanimously refused to resume work except at the old figure. The public ball given by the Mayor of Cromwell at Kidd’s Hall last night, to celebrate the opening of the Kawarau Bridge, was in all respects a most successful affair; and the expressions of pleasure and satisfaction on the part of the company were universal and sincere. Probably 120 were present, and we may safely affirm that the grace and beauty and fashion of Cromwell were largely represented. The kindness and urbanity shown towards their guests by Mr and Mrs Fraer were warmly appreciated ; and .the company, before dispersing, expressed by hearty acclamation their grateful acknowledgments for the enjoyment afforded them. On Thursday afternoon a man named Archibald Hogg was riding from Cromwell towards Bannockburn on a horse belonging to the Kawarau Station, when the animal shied at a piece of paper and threw its rider, who had his left arm fractured just above the wrist. The injury was promptly attended to by Dr Corse, md the sufferer is now progressing favourably. Hogg had only left the Dunstan Hospital a short time previously, having been sent thither in consequence of injuries received through the capsizing of a bullock-waggon near Albertown some three mouths ago. On that occasion it ff ill be remembered, Hogg sustained a dislocation of the hip ; and the driver, James Parkins, was fatally injured. From the Caledonian claim (Mr G. T. Stephenson’s) we learn that a crushing of 427 tons was finished on Saturday, at the Royal Standard battery, Quartzville. The yield of gold obtained was 429 ozs. 13 dwts. Owing to the bad state of the road between the claim and tne battery, no more stone can be sent down for crushing until the commencement of Spring ; "t Mr Stephenson intends keeping on his full complement of hands (seven men) throughout 6 ' v i nt er. These are all employed in getting °' lt stone > prospecting for new leaders, and otherwise opening up the claim. The Caledotmn occupies the premier position among the wrick reefs. We may add that Mr Stephenson continues to pay his workmen at the rate | 0 12s. per week.

A man named John Thomas was picked ii|) at the edge of the river, below Kawarau Bridge, at ten o’clock last night. He is supposed tohivo fallen over the bridge into the river. His head was much disfigured, and he was otherwise hurt; but hopes are entertained of his recovery. He was taken to the Dunstan Hospital to-day. A rumour has obtained currency to the effect that Ryan, the defendant in the late shooting case, was arrested by Detective Farrell on Saturday night, the 21st ult., on a charge of carrying fire-arms on his person. It is said that Ryan followed Farrell along the streets, and, suspecting something dangerous, Farrell ran him into the police station, where a loaded stick was found on his person. No fire-arms being found, Ryan was immediately released, and it is believed he intends commencing an action against Farrell. —Daily Times. At the weekly meeting of the Waste Land Board held in Dunedin on the 26th ult., the following is a portion of the business transacted : —ln the matter of Messrs Howarth and Bradshaw and W. J. Barry for a copper mining lease of ground at Moke Creek, the application was granted in favour of Messrs Howarth and Bradshaw.—An application by Mr J. Handing to purchase two acres of land on Mr M‘Lean’s run, on which the Swan brewery is built, was postponed,—Mr R. H. Leary, on behalf of Mr James Stuart, applied for a lease of section 14, block 1., Cromwell, for coal-mining. The lease was granted, the maximum price of the coal to be 20s, per ton. The following is a minute of the Executive of the Central Committee of the Otago Miners’ Association, published for the public information “Water Supply on Gold-fields.— While regretting the abortive measures taken by the General Government in regard to subsidising races, which have resulted in much loss and disappointment, and wishing to suggest amended regulations to carry out that object, the Executive are of opinion that such works as those now in progress at Naseby, and the proposed drainage works at Waipori, should be vigorously prosecuted by the Government. The Nevis is a field on which it would be desirable to initiate similar works, and the Executive of the Central Committee strong! v recommend the miners at Waipori and Nevis to submit to the Government definite information, and offer whatever co-opera-tion they can to enlist their aid.” A fatal accident, by which the lives of two men were sacrificed, was reported to us on Wednesday last. It appears from the evidence of a miner named Robert Ballantyne, who was the only eye-witness of the sad affair, that on Tuesday morning, the 24th inst., between 9 and 10 o’clock, the two unfortunate men, Captain M‘lntyre and James Scott, who wore shareholders in the dredge Galatea, started from the shore in a small boat for the purpose of boarding the dredge, which is lying at the mouth of the Fraser Rivor, intending to bail her out. When nearing the dredge the boat came in contact with the shore line, and was capsized, both men Heins immersed in the water. M‘lntyro sank immediately, and was not seen afterwards. Scoff caught hold of the line, but unable to contend with the current, soon let go his hold and sank to rise no more. On the news reaching Alexandra, seach parties at once proceeded along the banks of the river in search of the bodies, but nothing could be seen of them. The boat, however, was seen to pass the Alexandra punt filled with water. James Scott was an old resident of the Alexandra district, and leaves a widow and large family to mourn his loss. Captain M ‘lntyre is but a new arrival in the district, and leaves behind him a young wife without any family. The sad event has cast quite a gloom over the district. —Dunstan Times, A somewhat extraordinary case, referred to in recent telegrams, is reported in the Auckland papers. It appears that Sarah Ann Bell, a married woman residing in Parnell, was brought up in custody of Detective Ternahan, iit the Police Court, Auckland, charged wffh stealing a letter containing a valuable document valued at £l2l ss. sd. The particulars of the case, as stated by Mr Inspector Broham, are as follows : —Letters have been frequently sent from England addressed to a Mrs S. A. Bell, who resided at Tapu. These letters have been delivered by the Post Office authorities to the accused, under the belief that she was the proper party to receive them. She has on each occasion opened the letters, and finding they were not intended for her, has returned them to the Post-office. The mail before last brought a letter stating that a remittance would be sent next mail. This letter she opened, and in due course forwarded it on to its proper destination. Last mail brought the promised remittance, consisting of a draft on the Union Bank of Australia for £l2l ss. 5d., contained in a post letter. This was, as usual, delivered to the wrong person, namely, the accused. In this instance she failed and omitted to forward the letter on, but converted the draft into cash and retained it for her own use and benefit. The expected remittance not coming to hand to Mrs Sarah A. Hell of Tapu, enquiries were instituted, and it was discovered that Mrs Sarah A. Bell of Parnell had appropriated it. She was consequently arrested. A sum of £lOl odd was found in her possession. A remand was asked for, and granted, for the purpose of bringing up the witness—who is in Had health—from fapu. The prosecution is instituted at instance of the Post-office authorities.

Since our last, the following have boon the results of tho elections which have taken place Makarewa : Wilson, 104; M‘Arthur (tho former member), 99. Mount Hunger ; behind, 114; Beisjhton, 97 ; Bradshaw, 117 : Nicholson, 34,’ Kaikorai: Roberts, 74, Barr, 49. The official declaration of tho poll in the Superiutendental election was made in Dunedin on Thursday, June 2)5, and was as follows Macandrew 3902 Billies 2739 Graham 2(5 Majority for Macandrew ... 1143. The Melbourne correspondent of the Daily Times , speaking of a charge of fraud committed by the ledger-keeper in tho Colonial Bank, Melbourne, says : —"Prisoner, whose name is David Goodwin, and who has pleaded guilty to the charge, and is to bo sentenced to-day, has defrauded upwards of £IO,OOO by a system of false entries. He had been in the employment of the institution for many years, and was looked upon as perfectly trustworthy, and was the father of a large family, a lay preacher, and altogether a man in whom the utmost confidence would be placed. But it has been ascertained that while he kept up this appearance he lived a reckless dissoiute career, and threw money right and left with wild extravagence. He was a fervent and powerful preacher, but when be could spare time from the bank and the pulpit he was an assiduous frequenter of all of the fast houses in Melbourne, aud was a liberal patron of the demi-monde, amongst whom his brilliant champagne suppers are spoken of as “tip-top.” This pious but lascivious individual seems to have been trusted implicitly. Indeed, judging by the result, it would seem it was regarded as a work of supererogation to audit his accounts. ” He has since been sentenced to lengthened imprisonment.