CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 339, 23 October 1868, Page 2

CROMWELL.

(from our own correspondent.) Oct. 19. lii the proclamation of the Extension of this Goldfield, appearing in the last Provincial Government Gazette, ami which was (he subject of a portion of my former lettc , is removed for ever, a ca-»sc of grievance, so tenderly nourished, that now it is gone, it is really missed, as a mother would mourn the loss of a troublesome child. We must have our grievances, take them from us and you rob us of our birthright. For my part I cannot, as your Correspondent, contemplate with any degree of calmness the time when all our wrongs shall be abated, I really fear that such a stagnant state of affairs is not unlikely, for the Government seem desirous of insanely attending to our requirements and wishes, it is now therefore only left us at present to hug to ourselves and chuckle over the few grievances remaining for our enjoyment—what arc they] will be asked - well, let me ace ; for instance we have not a commonage it is true there is a portion of country allotted to us through the courtesy of the Runholder, the Messrs. Loughnan’ but it is quite inadequate for the purpose ; there are running here some fivo or six hundred head of cattle—including horses, and I do not know how many hundreds of goats which keep the grass so well eaten down, that involuntarily we are following the example of that would be economic gentleman, who, gradually but persistently brought his horse down to the dietary scale of one straw per day, with what lamentable results, history has not failed to record for the benefit of future experimentalists. In this compwafivrly rainless region, the' plains

' are of little use, the moisture being retained on the hills and terraces, which \ye are especially prohibited from occupying, and therefore, though the fiat used may to the eye seem intensive enough, yet in reality double the area would scarcely be sufficient. If a proper commonage cannot be granted, although it is difficult for the stupidly unenlightened, to say why Cromwell should prove an exception to other districts; some restrictive reg illations should be made in the depasturing of cattle, if it is intended that the privilege is to be enjoyed by all, it would be impossible at this moment for each little family to run their two or three head—supposing them desirous of doing so - for there are. a few who would make this a business, and of course count their stock by the hundred, no right they have a perfect right to do so, but if the land so set apart is intended for the benefit of all in the district, then I say, a more equitable division of it is requisite. From a review of this subject, it is but natural to select one of a similar character, and of more than equal importune'', namely that of agricultural lands ; the cry is, where is the Reserve, but alas, it is left for reverberating echo to reply, Where? It cannot be contradicted that if we turn to those pages of touchingly interesting literature, iho Gazette, we will find there trumpeted forth with a charming magnanimity, that 25,000 broad acres have been set apart for this purpose, but its situation—but whether it hj is been surveyed, and of what nature the soil (if any) are questions of detail, so ridiculously absurd, that, since the before-mentioned proclamation (some eighteen months ago), have never yet been wisely answered. A few farms arc under cultivation in the neighborhood, held by titles superior to Crown grants—at least it would seem so by the apparent indifference to the matter by the occupiers thereof —which, to my way of thinking, scorns difficult to account for, seeing that some are made to feel the inse curity of the tenure, as on one occasion, I understand, a man drove his horse and dray through enclosed and cultivated laud, because some seldomused and obliterated track was now thus usefully occupied. Goldmining is all very well, and to it it cannot ho gainsaid we owe our I present status —nay, existence itself— ; but at the best it is a feverish and ephemeral industry abiding not with us and producing a dissatisfied population, as it gradually fades, it should he our aim to sec firmly established, a race of sturdy fanners (of which our miners are eminently capable of be--coming) settling on the land, and making this frowning wilderness smile with waving corn-fields and happy homestead*, this is what would ensure a pennant prosperity and advancement to the country we live in, which as assuredly under other circumstances must retrograde, and in a few years leave no trace of its existence, beyond that which memory supplies in the recollection of a worked out Goldfield. Our Bridge (we posses a bridge and proportionately despise places that don’t) has been the fruitful subject of comment (what would a pump call forth?) Since its construction—condemned and ridiculed for its architectural qualities, admired and ridiculed for its beauty and picturesqueuess, denounced aud lauded for its cost, and questioned as to its absolute utility—it has been productive of neighbors’ quarrels ; it has been sketched and photographed from all points of the compass; it has been reported on by officials (1 dread to think of the number of times ; and the press has taken it in hand times innumerable, and delated upon its merits and demerits until brains are in vain ransacked to say a word more, and now, after en during all this, aud emerging from its fiery ordeal unscathed, when it might be supposed that repose and a happy old age awaited it, its tormentors have started up afresh —more virulent than ever—their accusations now culminating in their declaration that the un fortunate Bridge is rapidly sinking into the River beneath, well if true, who can be surprised what bridge would hoi' out so long against such varied calumniations, it would naturally seek to put an end to its wretched existence in the waters of oblivion, so temptingly at hand. So ranch for alarmists, we have on the spot an able enquirer, "hose opinion should he entertained before that of every self constituted Critic!,scr, and his has been given in favor of the durability of its structure ; this gentleman has a professional reputation to sustain, and he is careful to note every symptom indicative of weakness, and would be the first'to take measures for the public safety,- did he deem it necessary to do so. The weather Las been extremely variable latterly.