CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 282, 20 September 1867, Page 3

CROMWELL.

'FROM OUK OWN eORBfcSPONDENT. 18th. Sept. ISG7. Sin.ce liis election, Mr Barry entertained his friends, and political supporters at a banquet. Mr, J. D. Feraud, Mayor of Clyde presided, and the spread was of the most recherche character. In your issue of the 6th. Inst., a notice appeared stating that the Government house, once occupied by Mr. Stratford, and' latterly by Mr. Darling, had been 'totally destroyed by lire here ; the exact cause of the fire probably will never be ascertained, but it is surmised that the stove had been over-heated, causing the paper on the wall to ignite ; there was no one in the house at the time the flames broke out, MiDarling being in the Court house. Nothing could be more ridiculous, than the means of extinguishing fire possessed by the residents of this Town. Some twelve months ago, in' my correspondence to the "Dunstau Times" I called attention to the imperative necessity of making Seme provision towards contending against I the devouring element in case of accident, and suggested that a reservoir should be construct- I ed at the terrace overhanging the main street, | so that a sufficient supply of water might be-al-ways on hand should a lire break out, On Saturday last, two enormous boats, drawn by heavy teams of horses, passed through the town for the Arrow Punt, the property of Messrs Edwards and Owens. Mr Owous is of opinion l that the punt will be completed in a week hence, ,v wfien tbe road to Quecnstown will be available for the largest waggon, The Westmoreland Race has at last reached Cromwell, and as - it is capable of carrying about, twenty heads of water sluicing operations will be greatly increased in a few days on-the hauki of the Kawarau. Including labor, this race must have cost close upon £4,000, but, an it commands almost all the terrace.-; in the district, every reasonable hope may be entertained that the enterprise will prove remunerative. A new gully has been opened by Berry and party. It runs from the Bannockbu'rn to Doctor's Flat, and there is a good supply of water. The prospectors are ground sluicing with considerable success. About half a mile further on is Pipeclay Gully, and although it has been open during the last four years, the activity visible in it is most astonishing. Judging by the handsome wages realized by the miners, the old gully is not likely to be deserted for years to come. The sluicing claims at'the Kawarau Gorge are all in full work. The new water race, the Lord Byron, belonging to Messrs. Kitcningham and Roberts, is answering the most sanguine hopes of the proprietors. The miners of the whole district complain most bitterly against the operations of the 23rd clause of T the present Goldiiehls Act, which clause exonerates all pastoral leaseholders from any damage their cattle or sheep may do to water races or mining claims. The water races throughout this part of the country arc being continually damaged by sheep and cattle, but no redress whatever can be obtained. Gardening operations are bemg actively carried on in almost every spot where soil fit for a garden can be found. The miners seem not only determined to grow their own vegetables, but they have also commenced forming fancy-shaped flower beds to ornament their premises. While writing of ornamentation I may mention that Sergeant Cassels has laid out walks through the Camp reserve of a most pleasing appearance, and as the work has been done by himself, assisted by [Constable Campion, great credit is due to those officers for their industry.