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Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 289, 26 May 1875, Page 5

Tt will be remembered that some time ago a deputation waited on the hon. the Colonial Secretary in Diinedin, with respect to the reduction or abolition of the gold duty in this Province ; and more especially with a view to learn whether, in the event of a sum being appropriated to provide for refunding the whole or a part of the remitted duty, the Appropriation Ordinance would be allowed by the Governor and his advisers. Dr. Pollen Informed his interviewers that if the 'Superintendent put the above simple proposition to him he would cive a decisive answer without delay. His Honor acted on the suggestion, and below is copy of the reply received by him : ** General Oiivemraent Offices, *f "Dnnedin, May 19, 1875. "* To His Honor the Superintendent of Otago. <« Sir—l have received your Honors letter of date 14th inst., on the subject of the Otago •Gold Duty Repayment Ordinance, 1874; and, with reference to your expressed desire to obtain the opinion of the Law Officer of the Cohmy ' as to the legality of the Provincial Legislature of ■Otago appropriating a sum of itionev sufficient •to refund to the miners a portion or the whole hi the Gold Export D'ntv levied in this Province,' ] have the honor to inform you that the Colonial <Government is advised that such an .appropriation could not be held to he illegal. If. therefore, your Honor should consider it fitting, under ■existing circumstances in the Province, to recommend to the Provincial Council to vote money in the manner proposed for the relief or encouragement of mining industry in the Province of Otago. the passing of such a vote by the Provincial Council would not be held to afect the validity *>f the Appropriation Ordinance which covered it.—l am, &c, "James Pollen." It will thus be seen that the Provincial authortties have within themselves the power to deal with this much-vexed question, which has so long been a grievance with the mining community. No doubt cur rulers will show their sincerity by providing for the extinction of a special and obnoxious tax, which has given rise to much sincere discontent, and not a little stump eloquence. We shall see. The Queen's Birthday passed over in Cromwell without demonstration of any kind, and the various business houses were open for trade as usual. Mr Charles Colclough. is announced to hold his maiden sale on Saturday first, when he will dispose of a mob of very useful cattle, horses, &c, on behalf of Mr Goodger. The auction begins at noon. A meeting of the members of the Fire Brigade is convened bv Captain Starkey to be held in the Town Hall this evening. As the business is of an important nature, a full attendance is requested and expected. We are requested to intimate that the *hare-list of the Colonial Building and Investment Society wTI bo closed on 9th proximo. It ■will therefoie be well for intending shareholders to apply without delay to the local agent, Mr -Jolly, who will supply all particulars. Travellers up-country are no doubt well acquainted with host William's Victoria Hotel at Lawrence, which has acquired the name of being one of the most comfortable and complete houses of accommodation out of Duncdin. Mr Williams announces that he has still further consulted the convenience of his patrons by the erection of additional premises, comprising private apartments for families, commercial and sample rooms. &c, rendering the Victoria one of the best hotels in Otago. The entertainment in aid of the Building fund of St. Andrew's Episcopalian Church, Cromwell, took place in the Athensum Hall on Friday evening;. The attendance was very eood, and the lengthy programme was satisfactorily carried out. Several ladies and gentlemen from Clyde rendered valuable assistance, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent. Space prevents us from giving any detailed notice—indeed it would be a difficult and invidious task to single out any special performer where each contributed so well to the general fnnd of enjoyment. We are infarmed the proceeds form a .substantial addition to the fund s mght to be mgTDonted,

We observe that Henry J. Cope, settler, of Lake Hayes, has mod a deed of arrangement with bis creditors. It is rumoured in Dunedin that a vacancy will' shortly occur in tho Provincial Council, as Mr H. S. Fish intends visiting Europe. We hear that a parcel of over 5700zs of gold from Logan's claim was lodged in the Bank last Saturday. We have not learnt, the quantity of stone put through carrying this yield. Elsewhere will be found reprinted the proposed new bye-laws of the Cromwell Corporation. It has beeu found necessary to commence de novo with the passing of the bye-laws owing to an informality iu their previous gazetting. Attention is drawn to the fact that the date of sitting of the Cromwell Licensing Bench is postponed from June Ist to Friday, June 3rd. The sitting of the Court at Pembroke is likewise adjourned till Wednesday, 16th proximo. Last week, a deputation, consisting of Messrs Hazletfc and Ireland, waited upon the Superintendent, and presented a petition asking for a road to be made to Waikaia Bush. The Superintendent said the matter was one entirely of funds. It is thought the road will be made. At the Waimate Steeplechases, the Grand National of 100 sovs., was won by Ray's Medora (12st 71b), Campbell's Tommy Dodd (12st lib) being second. The Waimate Steeplechase, 75 eovs., was won by Mr Smith's Dunatrix, Medora being second. Considerable uneasiness was occasioned throughout the Colony on the wreck of the mail steamer Schiller first becominar known, from the fact of her being the vessel which was carrying homewards the Zealand mails via San Francisco, translipped from the Mikado, which latter carried several well known colonists as passengers, among ovhers, the hon. R. Campbell, and Messrs Beaver and Solomon, of Dunedin. The anxiety thus occasioned has been greatly allayed, if not wholly set at iest, by the publication of the ciblegrara dited 11th instant, that " no Australian passengers can be traced" among the Schiller's list; The Goldfields Committee have reported to the Council upon the petition of certain miners praying that the Government would purchase the Kawarau Bridge,, aud throw the same open for traffic free of charge. The Committee recommend that, as it appeared the scale of charges at present imposed at the bridge was excessive, the Government be requested to put dause IX. of the memorandum of conditions into force, with a. view to the reduction of the charges. At the same time the Committee urge I upon the Government the advisability of abolishing altogether the toll levied on foot passengers The committee further recommended the purchase of this aud other private bridges erected under Government conditions, out of any loan or advance obtained from the General G jvermnent, and the reduction of colls on such bridges to a dmit that shall provide funds sufficient for interest, for a sinking fund, and for maintenance of the bridges. A meeting of the Building Committee of the district Hospital was held on 20th ingfc., at which Messrs Dawkins, Goodger, Gudgeon. ; cott, Arndt, Mursh and Jolly were present, the iirst-named in the chair. The object of the meeting was to consider the advisability of settling up with the contractor, he having reported completion of the building. The sura due was £135, and it was resolved to pay Mr Tayl r £l2O, leaving over the bdance of £ls until the building is passed by the architect. On the motion of Mr Goodger, seconded by Mr Scott, it was carried— " That the Building Committee hand over its charge to the Committee of Management, together with the assets and liabilities, and that the books be audited up to day of meeting of Management Committee, 27th" inst,, at which date auditors hand in report." It was resolved to have the rules of the Institution printed, and that a book for the admission of patents be procu. v ed, iu accordance with the Surgeon's request. This concluded the business.