CARDRONA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 299, 4 August 1875, Page 6

CARDRONA.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Cardrona, July 28. It is rumored that a gold bearing quartz reef has been discovered a short distance above the township, by a Mr Walsh, or better known among the old Otago diggers as the “ Flower of wheat.” It appears the “ Flower” came across the reef at the time of Fox’s rush ; but as gold could be obtained very easy at that time, and being very lucky for a time on the West Coast, no thought was paid to the discovery for a period of thirteen years. I hear that several local business men are eager to go in with the “ Flower.” Good luck to them say I. The Government surveyor has arrived, and the laying out of the township will be proceeded with at once. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, held on 20th inst., an action Lafranchi v. Cottar, to obtain damages for loss sustained through being forcibly prevented from fencing in a piece of ground adjoining plaintiff’s hotel, was dealt with. It appeared the ground in question was a portion of an extended claim held by Austin and Yeldham, who gave plaintiff permission to fence it, — when he was forcibly prevented by defendant who held that part of the ground was a public road, or right-of-way. The case occupied the Court four or five hours. The evidence conclusively proved that no recognised road ever existed there, and the interference was high-handed and unlawful. A verdict was given for plaintiff.

In the Warden’s Court an action somewhat connected with the previous one was brought by Cottar against Yeldham and Austin to have their extended claim of two. acres cancelled, on the ground that said claim had not been properly represented, and had been abandoned for a period of six months, Mr Cottar succeeded in proving that it had not been legally represented, and the Warden in giving his decision stated as this was the first case of the kind tried in Cardrona, he would deal leniently with the defaulters, and would only cancel one acre which had been worked out, and inflict a fine of two pounds and costs. A few truthful remarks upon the last case mav not be amiss, and may act as a caution to miners on Cardrona to look sharp after their pegs, trenches, rights, and other titles, as there is no telling at what moment their common enemy may come down upon them. And the slightest omission or negligence on their part of the Rules and Regulations mav involve the loss of years of labor and anxiety. In the case under notice the facts are simply these : —The Empire party obtained a special grant of eight acres about three years ago, but finding, after repeated attempts, that they were unable to drain the ground sufficiently to work it with the pumping machinery at their command, and having exhausted their funds in compensating Cottar for his Agricultural Lease, they applied for and obtained two acres of shallower ground, adjoining the special claim, in order to raise funds for the amount of dead work necessary in draining the special claim. The two acres have always been covered by separate miners’ rights, and been most systematically worked in conjunction with the special claim ; but as the ground hitherto has been poor, it was never thought necessary to engage two extra men to represent it, which flaw Mr Cottar took advantage of in laying the information ; and had he succeeded in obtaining possession of the claim, he would no doubt have found a ready sale for the part unworked among his particular customers, the Chinese, as it has taken months of hard work to drain it and cut it into blocks. Besides the compensation that might have been extracted from those having residences or doing business on the surface, would also have made a nice little item. However, our respected Warden no doubt at once saw the motive that led to the information, and hence the lenient verdict. Mr MacKellar, Goldfields Secretary and M.P.C., paid us a visit during the past month. He was waited upon at M'Grath’s Golden Age Hotel, by representatives of the Miners’ Association, Progress and School Committees. Mr Robert M'Dougall was voted to the chair, and in a short address complimented Mr MacKellar on his promptitude and attention towards this district as a member of the Provincial Council. The interview was of a conversational kind, and lasted till a late hour of the night. A host of questions were put, and satisfactorily answered by Mr MacKellar. Additional subsidies were also asked for road-making and school purnoses, which met with favorable replies. Mr MacKellar was also asked to use his influence in getting the Mt. Barker block opened" under the deferred payment system. The sheep trespass on our commonage was also' pointed out, and promised to be attended to. A unanimous vote of confidence in Mr MacKellar as our member in the Provincial Council was passed. Mr MacKellar in thanking those present for their approval of his past services, took occasion to pay the chairman of the meeting, Mr M'Dougall, a high tribute for his ability and zeal in bringing the wants of this hitherto neglected district prominently before the notice of the Provincial rulers. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of.thanks to Mr MacKellar and the chairman.