CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 354, 5 February 1869, Page 2

CROMWELL.

(FROM OUR OWN' CORRE3rONDF..Vr.) Cromwell, Jan; 31. Kc news is good news, and if I have been silent for fbe last fortnight, I hope it will have been understood that things were going on swimmingly in this part of the world, as indeed with one orj two trifling exceptions they were. All who have known Cromwell will bo able to appreciate the change, when they 'are told that harmony once more reigns hero ; every one being disposed to love bimse'f and his neighbour, and for the first time within the memory of our “ old friend ’’ (and to compare small things with great) your correspondent can conscientiously say “ Cromwell cast lepaix” —Whethe'r it is a lasting peace, or only the temporary lull which takes place before tfio hotest of the battle, time alone will toll ; in !)ho meantime, prepared for either future, we will indulge in anticipation of the best results. Our worthy Councillors are (publicly speaking) in rather a comatose state at present, Jmt as they have been kept pretty close at it lately, what with water supply, the collect ion.of the rates, the he vis Road, and oth r matters of general importance, I suppose we must not grudge them a little spell. When they do bestir

themselves, it is to he hoped they will once more tackle the “ Land Question,” regarding which, throughout the district there is any amount of chronic discontent. What a pull the people would give in their present frame of mind, to any popular subject 1 Of the Committee specially appointed to obtain redress on that matter w r e hear but little, and of that little not much good. Our worthy Mayor has been formally installed as J.P. for the Colony of New Zealand, an appointment which doubtless will give universal satisfaction to the people of this place ; Messrs Pyke and Loughnan, Justices of the Peace were both present at tho necessary ceremony. By the bye, there is an impression abroad that, Mr. Pyke is neither as frequent nor so regular in his attendances at Cromwell as might be expected. Whether the impression is justified or not, I am not prepared to say ; it is only at present my duty to chronicle it—Grumblings, not loud but deep, are frequently heard on the subject at any rate. I do not. think the Cromwellians are proper'y aware of the fine Library which is gradually being established in their very midst, or alive to the benefits of such an institution. Itisonly two months since the opening, and already tho Committee have procured about one hundred volumes for public use, and are daily expecting a consignment of four hundred and fifty or five hundred more. All tho Colonial and the more important Home papers are likewise supplied, I daresay it will be quite a novelty to many of the people lieie, to be told that in the reading room attached to the Library, they can enjoy a social re-union three nights every -week, and which (important consideration) will cost them nothing. Let them show their appreciation of tho labours of the Committee by at once becoming members of the Institution, j The Church Committee aup 3 u-s to j have met with some difficulty in getting the consent of the CTutha Presby tery to the settlement of the Lev. MiDrake, who has laboured in this district for the past six months, with (.great success. I do not know the I nature of the difficulty, but I am given I to understand .that in consequence of it, the petition sent to the' Presbytery j asking to be made an independent j charge, in conn ction with that body I has been temporarily withdraw. l ; and ; that the members of the Cromwell | Committee are strongly supported in this step by the Kawarau Gorge and Lannock'.urn Committees There can bo no reasonable doubt however, that the Presbytery will eventually accede to the wishes of tho various Church ; Committees. In the course of another month or : so two events not unworthy of notice ; in the history of our district will have taken place. By that time the Nevis Hoad, -rla Bannockburn will be completed, and the establishment c.f a | Punt at Rocky Point (Ctfttha) will i complete the road commuflication bci tween Oamaru and Cromwell. If the country between the Lindis and the Hawea Lake were only open for ,-e----j lection, it would not be difficult to foretell in what direction many intending settlers would travel Mining matters generally speaking are,.quiet. Quite a new feature in gold mining in this district may however be seen any lawful day 'in the very heart of this Township. It has been left for Messrs Barr and Sharkey to demonstrate tho value of freehold property for mining, as well as building and gardening purposes; they have sunk a fifty feet shaft in a plot of ground owned by them, and it is said, have been and are being handsomely remunerated for 1 heir trouble. They certainly deserve their good fortune if they are, for they carried on their enterprise amidst the contemptuous sneers of their wiser neighbors. After their success, I dare say it is reasonable to suppose the “ Flat ” will yet bo properly prospected : at any rate I am sure money has been spent in Cromwell in testing more unlikely speculations. It is to be hoped that tho Contractor for the repairs to the Gentle Annie Bridge will lose no time in proceeding with his work ; crossing heavy wagons there being attended at present with considerable risk to man and beast.