CROMWELL GOSSIP.

Dunstan Times, Issue 673, 12 March 1875, Page 2

CROMWELL GOSSIP.

—o—(from our. own correspondent.) The good government of any place can scarcely be conducted with credit or satisfaction when those who administer tho affairs of the borough sacrifice the public weal to their own personal interest, and I am therefore induced to pen these lines owing to the very large amount realised at tho last sale, under the direction of tho Corporation, by Mr Geo. Fache. Some five months ago Mr Marshall obtained possession of a section adjoining tbe Council Chambers for a period of tea years, paying therefore the annual rental of ten pounds, and yet at the recent sale Mr Murrell had to pay L2 per foot for the remaining portion, and Mr Goodger L2O for the remaining 16 feet, tho two purchasers giving the handsome return of L 52 annually to the Corporation. Why then this sudden change, and in what manner can the Corporation explain away their mal-adminis-tration ? The Mayor at the last meeting of the Council would fondly have others believe that Cromwell was the modern Athens of the Dunedin district, and that nothing of consequence or Importance could emanate from any other place. In his appeal “ Gentlemen, I believe there is a brighter future in store for Cromwell than any other goldfields town outside of Dune din,” he lost sight of tbe fact that ho was but sounding his own trumpet, and by cracking ns up so much, paved tho road for others to tread and expose the naked truth. The great question of Block IX again formed the subject, and while he was prepared to do his duty and the Councillors to perform theirs to the ratepayers, they received my warmest support. Since this question -first occurred new blood has been admitted to the Council, and I regret to add that things have not improved. I observe that Councillor Arndt, tho representative of a very large firm, at present occupies 30 feet of the Bridge Reserve, for which he pays nothing ; that Or Whetter enroaehes 30 feet, that Cr Taylor appropriates 60 feet, and that Cr Grant thinks himself entitled to 57 feet, while the Mayor quietly occupies 24 feet,-and Cr Talboys uses another portion on which to place his empty cases—all exempt from payment of rent. It will be seen that six councillors out of the seven occupy land rent free, and do not exert themselves to place the residents of Block IX on a firm footing. So long as they can escape payment they seem to concern themselves but little in the interests of the parties who sent them to the civic hall. It is all very well for them to play a poker hand—to hoodwink even the residents of Block IX, but it would conserve the interests of the ratepayers if they took and acted for themselves. Personally I have no confidence in the present Council. In the enforcement of their bye-laws they made a bungle—in the manner of levying the rates they fell into error—and in their water scheme they earned, if not a lasting, at least a temporary right to claim a relationship to the well known “Enrydcs," and like the babe who lost its mother, they still continue to wander unknown, nnmourned, unhonored, and unwept, seeking shelter from a deluded section of the community, and vainly endeavoring to lead us as “asses by the nose.” The time has now arrived “ When falsehood’s trade May become as hateful As truth is now." It has been wisely said “ that coming events cast their shadows before,” and a stranger would have every reason to believe that this was the case with reference to Cromwell. A few weeks ago it was a rarity to see onr streets adorned with tho latest fashion, but now, of an evening, the bridge (let us hope not the bridge of sighs) is patronised by the elite and tho ton. Bankers of all sizes, ranging from 7st 61b to 16stj wander there, Being a man of no small means, and seeing so many bankers in esse and posse makes me feel more independent, and as, by the Hospital report, it seems that one generously gave L 5 and noted that fi per cent, on all deposits of over thirty days would ho allowed (ergo, is this a combination of philantrophy and business?) and I’ve made up my mind to transfer my banking account and encourage tho now blood. It is pleasant to see the bland and familiar way in which this fraternity greet each other, and indicates that old social feuds, that have heretofore existed, have been buried, and that a happier state of things is about to take place. You Bonifaces, why complain of the dullness of the times, when such capital is imported ? But, oh, stem fate decrees that you will not find this class so profitable as tho sturdy miner. Salutation to you all; success to Cromwell and new enterprise ! Is this capital like the water, to be seen and only j to be scon? or like tho mirage—or tho i phantom spectre, that haunts tho trapper j of the Cromwell prairie ? or is it by tho acI tiou of that rcaownoi Colonial statesman

Julius Vogel and his Forests Bill, this revolution in our peaceful hamlet occurs t Methiuks the times are changed and lowering clouds are hovering in the distance, and that the rising generating should be trained to whisper Ecce homines. On Thursday last considerable merriment was occasioned through a number of Celestials who were doing homage to one of our mighty potentates, and as ho wended his way up Mclmoie Terraco was the hero of the moment. Imagine thirteen of the disciples of Confucius, with the ornamental pig-tail tied up in the most artistic manner, the feet adorned with the junk-like shoes, and the inevitable blue blouse hanging loosely round the body, and the never to-be-for-gotten Chinkey’s pipe in mouth, preserving stolid silence, and walking in Indian file. Many were the enquiries, “What’s up?” and the little boys amused themselves, half in jest, and half insolemncaTncst,'“Seetho swell ! ” My curiosity was excited, and I too followed, though I do not wish to bo regarded as one of the distinguished retinue. On getting in the proximity of the Court the “ heathen Chinee” broke loose, c and the noise and cackling that took place assuredly eclipsed those feathery and graceful birds that saved ancient Rome. After the transaction of some routine business the case of Champion and others, objecting to the issue of a lease to these pilgrims from their dear native land, was heard. Then indeed was the sequel furnished. The before-mentioned potentate appeared on their behalf, and, with artificial tears in his eyes and demonstrative action, urged that Champion and party were “trying to beat these poor heathen Chinese.” Picture to your mind the burst of eloquence that would emanate from a Curran ora Grattan ; or vividly stretch the imagination, and see a Mitchell or a Martin, or an O’Connell carried away in the interests of their cause, and then you may have some faint idea of the appeal of this local orator. The Chinamen should feel honored, and the descendants of John Bull raise a memorial to perpetuate this gentleman’s fame, or apportion him an annuity to hold his tongue; but tha worst of all was that the effort was thrown away, as that far-seeing but hard-hearted Warden would not be hoodwinked or cajoled, and mildly observed, “ that he could’nt see it.” No more could I.

I understand that Mr R. Dagg has sold out of the coal pit on tho Kawaru, formerly worked by him, to Mr Wilson of Quartz Reef Point, who now intends to work the same. Competent judges believe this to be an excellent mine, and if such turn out the fact there can be little doubt but that it will prove a profitable speculation.

A share at Quartz Reef Point in an alluvial claim changed hands this week for Ll5O. Mr Treveathen was the purchaser. I was somewhat surprised to see that when his Honor Sir George Alfred Arney arrived at Cromwell there was not a single person to receive him. I think the profession might have done the honor, or the Mayor, generally so ready in these matter, could have put in appearance. On Thursday, the 4th inst., the Building Committee of the Cromwell Hospital met, for the purpose of receiving the report of the sub-committee respecting the furniture that would be required for the institution. There were present—Messrs Arndt, Starkey, Scott, Goodger, Marsh, Dawkins (chair), and the Secretary. A latter was read from Mr Worth, of the Colonial Bank, forwarding a cheque for L 5, and intimating that the bank allowed 5 per cent interest per annum an sums deposited over thirty days. A telegram from the, architect authorising the payment of Ll5O to the contractor was then read, when it was unanimously determined that a payment of L2OO should be made. In answer to a question by Mr Starkey the Secretary was understood to say that the total amount received by him was LI 179 13s 3d, out of which the Government subsidy amounted to L 415 10s 3d, leaving a further sum due by them of L 268 2s 9d. The cash in hand to tha credit of the Committee was L 307 12s. The contract price for tho building was Ll 135, out of which the contractor had already received LBOO 11s. The sub committee’s report was then read, in which they recommended the erection of a washhouso and two-stall stable.