Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, May 26, 1874.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 237, 26 May 1874, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, May 26, 1874.

At the meeting of the Town Council on Thursday night, Bye-law No. 3 and a Regulation, which had previously been proposed, were adopted. They will he found in our advertising columns. A private letter from one of the members of the Provincial Council, received in Cromwell yesterday morning, gives the welcome intelligence that there is every probability of the subsidy to our local Hospital being successfully carried in the Provincial Council.

At Darlingburst, New South Wales, a Mrs Ayton has been struck dead by lightning. The last crushing of the Heart of Oak, cleaned up during last week, gave a return of 111 ounces. Warden Robinson, having recovered his health, is shortly to return to Naseby to resume his duties. Warden Stratford returns to the Arrow. ;i . The Lyttelton Times learns that Mr Watt, the owner of Lurline, intends to send his famous mare to Melbourne, to strive with worthy competitors in the next Melbourne Cup to be run for in November. It will be interestin'' to note how the New Zealand crack fares in Australian company. Mr MacKellar has given notice of motion as follows:—“ That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that a sum of £2OO be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates, for the formation of a road between Cromwell and Cardrona, via Mount Barker.” , Cromwell yesterday did not show many demonstrations of loyalty in honour of Her Majesty’s birthday. Some of the principal business places were closed, and this was all. The only rejoicing ia honour of the event in the district was a ball at Kawarau Gorge, but we have not heard how successful it was. Petitions, have been presented to the Provincial Council praying for the suppression of Sunday tratlic on the Port Chalmers railway, with signatures to the number of nearly 5000. Mr Turnbull is to move, to-day, that only one train in the morning and one in the afternoon on Sundays be run, except in cases of urgency. On the occasion of Mr Thomas Johnston, who has managed the Arrow Observer for the past twelve months, leaving that district, a number of gentlemen met in the New Orleans Hotel for the purpose of taking farewell of him. He was presented with a testimonial address, numerously signed ; and it was stated that the short notice of Mr Johnston’s intended departure alone precluded the making of a more substan. tial presentation. Wednesday, June 3, instead of Monday, the Ist, as originally intended, is now fixed for the opening of Mr M'Cormick’s new bridge at Nevis Ferry. Mr M‘Cormick intends to' put forth every effort to make the affair a great success, and those who remember how enjoyable a day was spent at the opening of the Bannockburn Bridge will not be slow to take advantage of this opportunity for a day’s holiday. Everybody is invited, and refreshments will be liberally provided.

Mr De Lautonr has given the following notice of motion in the Provincial Council : “ That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to place on the Supplementary Estimates such a sum as may appear to him sufficient as a bonus for the best gold-saving apparatus—for saving gold extracted by hydraulic sluicing—that can be devised cheap enough to be practicable ; said apparatus-to be constructed subject to such competition and regulations as to His Honor may seem fit." .? >

The following rather neatly turned comparison was made by the Provincial Treasurer in his reply to Mr Fish during the recent debate on Mr Bastings’ motion of want of confidence : —“ When I came into the chamber this afternoon I felt very much like a prophet. The prophet I refer to is the prophet Jonah. And the reason was that I was in fear of being swallowed up by a Fish. I think the parallel would have been good had my fears been realised, for I predict that I should have disagreed with the hon. gentleman’s stomach. ”

A gentleman who has lately arrived from Cromwell says that Dr Coughtrey’s report is likely to have something like the same effect upon the Town Council of that place as a quantity of water poured upon a duck’s back, unless the public opinion is brought to bear very strongly upon the Councillors. We hope the report is not a correct one, or that, if it is, public opinion will be brought to bear in such a manner as to effect the necessary reforms in the sanitary condition of the flourishing little township alluded to.— Guardian.

At the weekly meeting of the Waste Land Board held on Thursday, the 14th inst., th e following plan for a pre-emptive right was submitted for approval, and the shape of the area approved : —Mr Henry Campbell, section 3, block 111., Lower Wanaka.—Messrs Joseph Harding and Co. asked information as to what facilities would be given them for starting a fish-curing establishment on the south-west coast of Otago. It was resolved that applicants be requested to make a specific application for land, or otherwise inform the Board as to their exact wants.

On Tuesday, May 19, a very important sale of land took place in Dunedin. It was that of the sections on the reclaimed ground behind Messrs Driver, Stewart, and Co.’s stores. The sections were Nos. 1 to 8 inclusive, block LII. Sections 7 and 8, and part of 6, are under water, hut the Government undertakes to reclaim them within a year. The sale was attended by a large number of the leading men of the City. The total sum realised was £10,720, and the area of ground sold was two acres, less ten poles. The sections under water brought from £1250 to £1376.

Elsewhere it will be noticed that a meeting is called for Friday evening of those who take interest in the formation of a Cromwell Amateur Dramatic Club, Talent exists among us, as was proved last winter, •when several highly successful performances were given. No doubt those who so kindly and ably gave their services then will come forward once more, while “ new blood” will not surely be found awanting. One reason we have heard mentioned for starting such a club at this time is, that shortly the new Athenreum will be finished, and hardly a more fitting accompaniment to its opening could be devised than a performance such as a club, started now, would then be in a position to give. We hope to see some interest shown in the matter on Friday night.

Tt is currently reported that when the General Assembly meets, a Bill will be introduced for the purpose of so amending the laws relating to public houses that in it there will be a provision for the abolition of barmaids.— Times. Owners of safes would do well to be on their guard. A robbery of an unusual character has been committed in this city during the past fortnight, the object of tbe thief or thieves being apparently to secure tbe means wherewith to engage in the commission of burglarious acts. We learn that some four dozen blanks for keys have been stolen, and that these blanks can be readily filed into shape for opening safes. These blanks are from an inch and a half in length downwards. The theft has evidently been the work of an experienced cracksman, who means business in his lino. We wonder if any accomplished London burglars have received free passages into the country as agricultural labourers from tbe paternal Dr Featberston and his discriminating agents. It would look like it. The police are making strict search into the robbery, and with the public on its guard, any attempts at acts of burglary are almost certain to be nipped in the bud. —Daily Times,