CROMWELL GOSSIP.

Dunstan Times, Issue 681, 7 May 1875, Page 2

CROMWELL GOSSIP.

—o—(prom our own CORRESPONDENT.) At last the Debentures for the CromweT Waterworks have been taken up by the Colonial Bank. It may be safely angured that no time will be lost in pushing tho work ahead, as one and all have suffered more or loss owing to the want of pure water. Whether the Town of Cromwell can afford to pay a discount of 1,260, added to L2O commission for completion of arrangements, with an additional 8140 annual ininterest, giving a total for the first year of L 420, when it must he home in mind that the advance is only L2ooo—is a question that I purpose fully discussing in next issue, I must congratulate tho Mayor in having directed the attention of the Council to tho necessity that exists for the erection of a pound. Perhaps Cromwell enjoys an unenviable notoriety in more respects than one, but I certainly think she is entitled to distinction for the number of horses, cows, and goats that are allowed to wander about tho streets. These bovine friends, uninvited, introduce themselves to tho water barrels, tubs, and back premises, much to the discomfiture and annoyance of the citizens, and when complaint is made tho invariable reply is, “Well, there’s no pound nearer than Clyde.” As the subject is now before tho Municipal Council determined aotu n may bo expected. Surely there exists no difficulty in procuring a site. “After every storm comes a calm,” and so with tho cricketers, who appear to have grown less enthusiastic and less attentive to practice since thoir victory over tho Clyde Eleven. It is settled that the return match is to be played at Clyde on tho Queen’s Birthday. Our players should not

run away with the idea that because they wore victorious last time the same good fortune must attend them in the future. Ido not like to discourage (the lecal team, but unless they continue to practice I should not be surprised to witness a signal defeat; therefore, let them practice, and then the Clydoites will find it somewhat difficult to regain the laurels they have up to the present lost. It is a matter of regret that these Clubs only commenced to play at the very close of the season, as May is the first mouth for football. Is there ae enterprising person who will start a football club, or will thoiplayers wait until the end of the season, and then leave some enthusiast to organise a team 1 A good cricketer is invariably a good hand at football, and as Cromwell and Clyde are sadly behind in fielding, the pursuit, during the winter months, of the healthy sport I have suggested would be found to tell its tale on the Cricket Ground next season, when it is more than likely that matches will not be c mimed between the two mentioned towns, but elevens from other places will visit and be viated. Clyde and Cromwell combined could send an eleven to the wickets who should be able to give a good account of themselves against any team outside Dunedin.

Some good and useful men are permitted to leave a district without the slightest notice, save that which may bo paid by a few personal friends, and such seems to be the case with Mr S. Goldston, late Mayor of Arrowtown. Mr Goldston was one of the most enterprising and public spirited men in the -district, and possessed of considerable means. Ho never forgot the poor, nor refused to help the industriously inclined. He was approachable at all times. He has left the place for good, and I think the Arrow will wait along time before securing a mrre zealous and persevering citizen. I wish him well. 1 should like to know the amount of money that has been expended during the past twelve months, and the number of hands employed in forming and metalling the main road between the Falcon Hotel and Cromwell. For some time past four if not five men have been employed breaking stone and siding the sand bank, but in so far as any benefit to the road has been done it is in the same state as last winter. From Elliott’s to Clyde I understand one man has to keep the road in repair, and it cannot ho denied but that this portion is the best kept. On many occasions I have seen these industrious employees squatted on the road side, inhaling the delicious weed, or scanning the passers-by, the tools and barrow being religiously thrown on a heap of metal in the most conspicuous place, doubtless to attract attention. It may be as well to mention that on the Cromwell end the greater portion of the mettalling is done by contract, Straohan and others having the first, M'Nulty one, and Mr Drummy another. Putting these contracts aside, what have these Government hands done? Where is the improvement and the amount of labor to represent the money paid for wages? If the Engineer feels disposed to institute enquiries he will learn that in the summer months it was no unusual thing for some of the hands, and notably the ganger, to go to work at nine and half-past nine o’clock in the morning ; and, when by a party of miners it was observed, ‘’This is a pretty time to go to work, ” the ready answer was, “There’s plenty of time for a good man to do a good day’s work.” The work done on this road proves that the Government is the easiest and best master to work for, by the fact that as there are black sheep in every flock, and a drone bee in every hive, so there may be one or two on that portion of the road who ply the willing hands and shirk the work themselves.

An accident happened last week to Mr Beattie, of the Clutha Hotel, Cromwell, which fortunately was not attended with fatal consequences. Mr Beattie was returning from Clyde in a trap, and when near Cromwell in descending a slight hill he had occasion to use the brake, his other foot being against the splash board which gave way. Mr Beattie was thrown out, and his foot caught in the brake. Ho was dragged some distance, and would in all likelihood have been killed had it not been that his coat got over his head and shoulders, and protected them somewhat against tho gravel. Mr Gilmour was riding in front, and seeing the accident he stopped tho horse and trap, and with difficulty liberated Mr Beattie, who was severely bruise 1 and cut. Ho was attended to Dr Corse, and is rapidly recovering.