CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 664, 8 January 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(FROM OUR OWM- CORRESPONDENT.) On Now Year’s Day tho Good Templars, consisting of the Cromwell, Tribune and and Bannockburn lodges, assembled at tho Schoolhouso, Cromwell, and after tho usua prelinvnaries were settled thoy formed in procession, and headed by a Brass Band proceeded to tho appointed rendezvous, namely, “Burnt Cottage,” Mount I’iaa Station, whore all sorts of fun was indulged in, from kiss-in-the-ring to a girls’ race. There is a specialty about this event that deserves special notice. The fair competitors were not restricted to “ a certain age,” and it cannot be contended that “ tho young contended while the old surveyed,” as some who had entered the yellow seer resolved to see what they could do and not leave it all to the youngsters. The distance was seventy yards, which brought thirteen pedestricnes to tho post. A good start was effected, and some of the “Sisters” ran pluckily and well; but oh, fie !—oh, horror ! victory was on the side of a young girl, the daughter of a publican,, who stepped out like a deer, ami won easily. I don’t pretend to draw any inference ; let the fact speak for itself, hut in this instance, at all events, the “pure water element” must gracefully acknowledge to being honorably defeated. Tho good things of this life were plentifully provided, and tho arrangements were satisfactorily carried out, and if this revival, on a limited scale, of the Olympian Games were more frequently appointed it would be tho means of securing a large number of adherents to the cause of temperance, though possibly not to any special order. The Sports were brought to a close at about half-past four, when rank was reformed, and the march home—to the beat of tho drum and the stirring music of the cornets—resumed. The banners, with their appropriate mottos were unfurled, and sweet daughters blushing in their loveliness, betrayed their anxiety to reach homo in order to witness tho Concert and Dance, the latter, no doubt, being the most attractive. Of tho Concert I prefer saying little, but tho devoteesof terpsichore had every chance to enjoy themselves, and to trip right merrily tho “ light fantastic toe.” There was a good attendance of tho public and the Order, while the sum realised will considerably augment tho finances of the Cromwell Lodge, No. 72, 1.0. G.T.

On New Year’s Day, when returning from the Templars’ Fetd, an accident, which might have been attended with serious results, happened to a trap, the property of our respected townsman Mr James Tavlor. A man named Coliins was driving when the seat gave way, and he was thereupon thrown out. The horse feeling himself no longer under restraint started off at a full gallop, and going along a sidling overturned the trap. Mrs Tayloi, who was in it at the time, was considerably bruised, while Mrs Woods was very much shaken. Dr Stirling was promptly in attendance, and it is gratifying to record that the ladies in question have almost entirely recovered. It is only due to Mr Collins to add that no blame is attachable to him, nor is such intended to be imputed.

On Now Year’s Day tho advertised Sports took place at Mr Porriam’s, Lowburn, and were the counter attractions, were considered well patronized, giving general satisfaction . Mr Perriam left no means untried to render everyone comfortable. There can he no doubt but that the threatening appearance of the sty in the early forenoon, and the heavy down-pour of rain in the afternoon, had a deterrent influence, and prevented many from attending. One thing is certain that if they had they would not, unless of a most peculiar disposition, have gone away dissatisfied.

Considerable uneasiness lias been created in tne public mind owing to the cancellation of a large portion of ground that was, with a great flourish of trumpets, set. apart as a commonage; but why this proclamation was issued is truly a puzzle to manv. No sooner was it, however done than capitalists seized upon the chance for speculative purposes to get possession under the very cheap system—agricultural leasing. There is no gainsaying the fact that, any disinterested and unbiassed individual, who will carefully look through the lists of ap plicanta, will be compelled to admit that some of those dignitaries are amongst the least likely to beneficially occupy and improve the land, or to carry out the conditions imposed by tbe Regulations. It is undeniably true that thegroundis auriferous, and will pay in many places from three to fourpoundsporman per week, besides the circumstance that the two most important races in the district wend their circuitous way along and across the same. It is all very well for parties who do not take the trouble to go out and see for themselves to raise the cry: “ Oh, these men only want to keep it as a Commonage because they have one or two head of cattle.” This is not the fact, but for the purpose of argument! will assume that it is. Surely the Government must have known, when only a few months since they set it apart as a Commonage, that snch was not so done for the purpose of alleviating the wants, or studying the personal convenience of the few, but for the greater and more public good. Having a member of tho Executive located at Cromwell it is not unreasonable to suppose that such a step as the primary dedication would not occur without his knowledge. Any person who is acquainted with tho Goldfields Secretary will hardly credit the statement that ho is guilty of bashfulness, or unmindful of his dignified and responsible position. It was on general grounds that this Commonage was set apart, and the subsequent withdrawal of a portion tends to weaken the confidence of many in the administrative ability of some of tho rulers of the Province. Has not this rash and suicidal act its birth rather in tho threatened abolition of the Provinces ; and do not some of our Brovinoiaiials see their frail barqne slowly, but

surely, drifting on the rdclc of destruction ? la it lay such base conduct ns this that the toasted Provincial land revenue is to be in vde up ? If so, this is kco, iig “ the word of promise to our cars, and breaking it to our hopes." When men have heat all their energies in following one pursuit, ono industry. In swagging and opening fields that the squat-■ ter or landed proprietor in nil probability i would never have put his foot upon, such a c’ass should be entitled to something more than a passing consideration. The mining industry is one of the most important in the Province, and if such conduct as that now ! under notice is long pursued it will have a most baneful effect, and drive away a class of men to other fields and other spots where less official blundering occurs, and greater inducement is offered for the development of those mineral resources which every part of the Colony is known to possess. Not a great many years since the good settlers of “Sleepy Hollow” would scarcely allow a miner to settle, and at the first of the 'Wakamarina Rush, these peaceful citizens were only too pleased to see the “ nasty digger” depart, but now, how unspeakable the change. The Superintendent has, at election times, to travel all over the Nelson South-west Goldfield to secure the votes of some of those “nasty diggers.’, I warn those in authority to pause and reflect before they decisively act, as when ono injustice is initiated there is no knowing where the evil will terminate, nor how soon the injured may turn and sting. At all events it would give much more satisfaction if the matter were allowed to remain dormant till the meeting of the Provincial Council. The first pic-nio of the School of St. Mary’s Church was held on Tuesday last at the Five-mile Creek, adjoining Mr Lo'ighnan’s Station, and was an unqualified success. Old “ Sol ” shone out with all his glory. At ten o’clock the train of carriages, consisting of eight, started from the Catholic Church, heavily freighted with the “ little ones,” who, one and all, seemed bent upon enjoyment. After very rapid driving, and the usual amount of dust, the rendezvous was reached, where a largo white cloth was spread upon the sward, and sandwiches, hams, sweets, ginger-beer and lemonade wc;c freely dispensed, none need to go away hungry or dissatisfied. Every description of games were freely indulged in, and a very enjoyable day was past. We noticed the Rev. Fathers Mackay ami Moore, who worked with a will, were evidently resolved that it should not be their fault if any person went away displeased. This School is under the charge of Miss Brownlow, who is deserving of special notice for the careful way in which she looks after her pupils. When this lady first took charge of the School she had only one pupil, and yet, in the space of seven months she has managed to bring the roll up to thirty-eight—this fact speaks for itself. A number of children, other than those of the Catholic creed attend the School, and the parents express themselves highly satisfied with their progress in the elementary work of education. We are pleased to he able to congratulate our Catholic friends upon the marked success alter ding their first pic-nic in the Cromwell district. The stone addition to the Bank of New South Wales is rapidly approaching completion, and when finished, will improve the front look something more like a bank than it did before.

An accident resulting in a broken log occurred on Wednesday afternoon to a young man named Murphy in the employ of Messrs Theyers and Beck, Brewers of Alexandra. From what we can glean, Murphy had called at the (Dunstan Hospital, and on mounting his horse to return home, the beast became restive, throwing him heavily to the ground with the above result. Dr Thomson at once attended and under his skilful treatment we are happy to hear that Murphy is progressing as favorably as circumstances will admit.