CROMWELL GOSSIP.

Dunstan Times, Issue 676, 2 April 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL GOSSIP.

(from our own correspondf.nt.) During the past week there has been an almost entire suspension of'business, many of our leading men having proceeded to Dunedin to attend the Daces, while those who remained have been enjoying themselves on the cricket field, and in visiting the surrounding stations where they met a hearty welcome. One station holder in particular will have good reason to remember the visit, as, during the short time his uninvited guests remained, sad havoc was made upon the larder, the cellar, and the poultry. A large sum of money changed hands upon the Cup, as odds were freely offered and taken against Templeton, while Right Bower found his backers at even against the game little horse for places. It is a matter of surprise that with the wellknown wealth we possess, no sporting man thought the inducement sufficient to get up a Calcutta sweep. That it would have been readily filled up, no room for doubt exists, as on the very morning of the races Mr Tronson went round the town and managed to raise three very decent sweeps. We generally take credit to ourselves in setting Clyde an example ; but, we certainly should gracefully admit that we have, in this particular of the “Calcutta Sweep,” been distanced, as I hear your little town stumped up L6O to the successful winner of Templeton. On Sunday evening last the Rev Mr Dewe preached for the first time at Cromwell, in the newly-erected English Church. The attendance was larger than usual, and the collection better. Rumors are rife of some very rich discoveries at Bendigo, but as I do not in general rely upon the statements of others, and as I find that accounts are published respecting the working and payable reefs of one or more Companies which are open to question, I prefer withholding any comment till visiting the field myself, which I purpose doing on some early date. I have been given to understand that the Cromwellians intend to challenge Clyde to a friendly game at cricket, and, though the season is somewhat far advanced this is a step in the right direction, and evinces that my remarks in your last issue have not fallen like good seed upon a barren rook. The winter season is now advancing, and it is almost time that the members of the Cromwell Dramatic Club bestired themselves. In the past these entertainments have served to wile away the long nights, and to augment the funds of several institutions. The services of the Club have over been at the call of the respective bodies both of Clyde and here ; and if the representations have not always come up to the standard this shortcoming may, to some extent, be attributed to the want of costume. I venture to say there is scarcely a member who will not admit this to be the fact, and knowing such, why not give an entertainment in aid of the funds of the Club ? It is almost asking them too much to expect them to devote their time and study for the amusement of others, and then to provide their theatrical toggery out of their own purse. The public of this district are far from niggardly in the matter of patronizing entertainments, and the appeal requires but to be made to meet with a hearty and cordial response. To make the Club a success, however, the petty jealousies which now, and have all along existed, should be forgotten; while the introduction of new blood would not only strengthen their hands, but prove an additional attraction to the play-going public. Every such “stars” as Kerne, Brooke, Phelps, Sullivan, Holt, Faircbugh, and Dillon cannot, after a certain run, continually command good houses; and to see amateurs, the same ones over and over again, in little farces and comedies, unaided by the stage effects obtainable in a proper theatre, suggests the appropriateness of the-Australian Blacks’ saying—“ Worry good ; but, too muchy-muchy of the same thing.” It will bo gratifying to some of your fair readers to learn that steps are about to be taken to re-organise the Quadrille Assembly. 1 have never attended any of these in the

past, and cannot speak from personal knowledge of the way in which they are conducted ; but, this I do know, that last winter they were well patronised, and apparently gave satisfaction. I understand that they are strictly private, and the Committee hold themselves responsible for the respectability of those who are permitted to attend.

Whether it is that some fathers are unable to control their children, or that their progeny have the “larrikin” element inherently implanted in their nature, is a question that requires to he answered. Of late, our precious youth have, accompanied by dogs, amused themselves by wandering up the range on the plea of hunting for rabbits. In the course of a ride along the Dunstan Range I came upon the remains of several dead sheep, and on Sunday last some of these promising youths found ample sport in setting their dogs on to the sheep. There are numbers of horses and cattle on the Dunstan Range, and from their being so frequently worried by dogs they have become quite wild and almost unapproachable. I am no champion of tho squatters, but I can’t allow them to sustain a serious injury without giving some expression thereon. The families are not so numerous but what the wild scamps are tolerably well-known. Of course boys will be boys, but when their harmless amusement is attended with injury to others it is time it was stopped. Another matter to which attention might very properly be directed is the reprehensible practice of throwing stones. Only the other day a lady was within an ace of receiving a blow in the face from one of these missiles, and there is scarcely an afternoon passes but, as soon as these promising lads are let loose from school, that they do not draw up two contending armies, and commenced stoning each other. If the Police would lock one of them up it might be the means of rendering parental chastisement unnecessary. At all events the lesson would not be thrown away. Whether I will or no, the Corporation of CromweT, and especially the head thereof, will persist in doing the most quixotic things, and famishing me with cause for complaint. I have in previous notices alluded to the occupation of the street by Councillors carts and timber and have shown that one accident to a waggon occurred thereby, as the space where the same could have safely passed was blocked up by the Mayor’s spring cart and another Councillor’s trap—but all this has been like pouring water on a duck’s back. A few days since the Constable on duty was ordered to interview one of our citizens, and request him to forthwith shift a pole (which had been used in the removal of the school-house) from off SHgo-street, as it was dangerous “ to life and limb.”, Now this identical pole was lying alongside the street, and does not inconvenience the public in the least, in addition to which it is seldom traversed by vehicles, while Murray-street is one of the. principal thoroughfares, and is blocked up by the aforesaid carts. Why don’t the vigilant police serve all alike and not single out a particular individual. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. These petty distinctions and exhibitions of partiality, are not in accordance wdth my conception of fair play and no favor. Is there no provision in the Town and Country Police Ordinance, or is our distinguished Sergeant afraid to enter the lists against the powers that bo ? That there is a screw loose some where is apparent, and until some decided action is taken in tho matter, I shall not cease.to expose the delinquent, no matter who may shield him or them, or connive at a direct violation of the law, and that too when attention has been so frequently and specially drawn to the subject. An elderly lady has done me the honor to visit my sanctum, and hopes that I will induce the “ Editor of your valuable journal ” to advocate cremation. She does not reside in Cromwell, and alleges that she ever experiences a nervous sensation when passing the cemetery. She wants to know why dead people are not burnt. For her information 1 quote the 14th Section of the Burial Ground Closing Act, 1874,” passed last Session of the Assembly It shall be lawful fer any person by deed or Will duly executed to direct that his or her body shall after death be disposed of by burning the same to ashes instead of by burial in tho earth ; and it shall be lawful tor the executor or executors of such person to carry into effect such direction. Provided that such burning shall be conducted in a manner which shall not create any public or private nuisance.” The correspondent of the Otago Daily Times has perhaps unwittingly fallen into an error in stating that Mr Arndt had purchased Mr W. Sbanly’s premises, and the eloquent and complimentary language employed was thrown away. For his information, and also that of the public, I may state that Mr James Hazlett of Clyde was the purchaser, and I am pleased, and so are many others to congratulate that gentleman upon having purchased one of the most valuable sites in Cromwell. If a man deserves to do well, it is that man. I understand that Mr A. D, Jolly contemplates erecting a large stone building on his present site. From the information I have been able to glean I should not be ranch surprised if the contemplated erection docs not come up to those commodious and handsome premises so recently built by Messrs Hallenstein and Company The Cromwell Argus in referring to the correspondence between Mr Buchan and myself expresses regret that “ tho letters should have appeared in its columns ” and I must confess that I was surprised to find that its columns were thrown open to attack a report and criticism which appeared in the Dunstan Times, written by mo as “ Your own Correspondent.” I do not desire to dictate to the Editor of the Argus, but think he would have exercised more sound discretion in refering the writer to the journal in which the criticism appeared, Avhen, if refused insertion, the effusion

would in nil likelihood have found space in the Argus. If the Editor of the Argus prefers departing from an established custom, I have no particular wish to Father his sins, The matter must evidently have been of great “ public interest ” to claim a local of a stick and a half. Since tho visit of Professor "Ulrich to our Goldfields almost every prospectus flourishes that gentleman’s name, and holds it forth as an inducement for speculators to invest. That he is a very high authority is generally admitted, but the learned Professor little dreamt that any unofficial opinion ho may have uttered would have found its way into the columns of a newspaper, and be put forth as a bait. The Professor was brought over by the Government at tho public expense, and, seeing that his report has not yet been handed to the Superintendent, it is, to say the least, very premature and illadvised for any company or agent to take the liberty of using language that might hereafter be disputed. As the expected report will, in all probability, shortly find its way into the advertising sheet of the several newspapers, it would be much better to have the Professor’s language before the public; not that I question the correctness of the words, or dispute the accuracy of the opinion, but I do protest against what can scarcely be characterised other than as an ill-advised and injudicious step, as there is nothing to prevent any party, if so disposed, publishing “that Professor Ulrich, when inspecting this mine, gave it as his opinion, &c.” It may not have been done in the present instance with any view to mislead, but it is as well to nip a bad precedent in the bud.