CROMWELL

Dunstan Times, Issue 701, 24 September 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL

o—(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Friday fast, two informations were disposed of, one against James Scott for allowing goats to wander about the Municipality. Defendant asked for a dismissal, on the ground that tbs alleged trespass was on illegally occupied ground, Block IX., and the name of the municipality was omitted." Both points were overruled, and a fine of ten shillings and costs inflicted. The second was against a man named Thomas Frouder, for using obscene language towards Mrs Heron, of the White Hart Hotel, who was fined 40s and costs, or 7 days imprisonment. In the Warden’s Court a number of applications were disposed of. The general subject of conversation is all about the turf, and you are not considered among the upper ten unless you can talk “horse,” One thing is certain and it is this that there will he several untried hacks for the Maiden Plate, and a good race may therefore ire expected. In fact, the meeting as -a whole will, I think, he most successful. The right to the Grand Stand, Saddling Paddock,’&c., was sold on Monday last by Mr Colclough, and knocked down to Mr John Marsh. It might be deserving of the attention of the CSub if some rule were made as to exercising the horses, as where there is -such a strong field, it is not improbable that the course will be considerably cut up before the race day. Mr Charles Ryland, formerly of Queenstown, is the lessee of the billiard table at the Commercial Hotel, where the lovers of the green cloth may while away a pleasant hour-sr so. Charles says “ hs is always at home.” Every magistrate has a peculiar style of his own in conducting the business of his Court, and the respected magistrate of Clyde is no exception to the rule. On last Court day, a stranger ts Cromwell was charged with using obscene language, hut, being either ashamed of himself or afraid of the consequences, he failed to put in an appearance. The language complained ef was most disgusting, and was addressed to a married woman, yet the Court insisted upon her repeating the offensive terms. It is a rule in many courts for the words to be written by the witness and then handed to the Bench. .1 just throw out this suggestion and hope it will %e acted upon in the future. So the Corporation of Cromwell are going to use their mighty influence to secure Constable M’Gann his sergeant’s stripes. Well, now, I have nothing to say against tho ■Constable, but think the body politic would do the community greater service if they left police affairs alone and devoted their energies to the Waterworks scheme, Block IX., and several other little matters—•notably, the pushing on the public works. The body meet often enough, and the general outcry is what do they do. Echo answers—What ? It is a great misfortune that some people can’t mind their own affairs and leave others alone to manage for themselves. I see by the last Mail that one or more of the Shotover demagogues have been stumping it and airing their eloquence in the defence of the rights and liberties -®f the miners. The first person, according to them, who has sinned is Warden Beetham, who comes in for a good share of abuse because he didn’t run after Jack, Tom, and Bill, and hold a Court to suit their special convenience. Tiio next culprit is the Goldfields Secretary, who has h-en a naughty lad because he did not pat these men-children on the head and say “brave boy.” It should be remembered that the Goldfields Secretary is the member for the Kawarau, and the electors of Cromwell and the surrounding district are quite as capable of judging the conduct of their representative as are the Shotover gentry, and for them to arrogate the right to dictate to this community is coming it strong with a vengeance. There are some men who always like to become and he thought obstructionists, and in the present case instances are not wanting. The good people of the Shotover have been notorious for their love of litigation, and it is only such a magistrate as Richmond Beetham who can hold the scales of justice even'y when dealing with factionists. If any proof were needed to show that Cromwell is in a healthy and solvent condition, there is abundant evidence ' in the numerous buildings in course of erection. Mr Goodger has pulled down his all stable and had the new one altered, while, immediately on an elevated place is a private residence, erected for Dr Stirling, and I can safely say that no expense has been spared to finish it in a first-class way. Proceeding up the street is Mr Sherwoods cottage, immediately behind Mr Hazlett’s store, and further along on Block IX., other buildings are going up. It is beyond doubt to question our go-ahead proclivities, and when we get the water in we shall he as well off as you Clydians and perhaps a little more contented. I have to report the sudden demise of Mrs Thompson, at the Nevis. It appears that she was only ill a few hours, and that she expired before Dr Stirling arrived. I understand an inquest will be held to ascertain the cause of death. The usual quiet of our streets was disturbed on Tuesday last by two boisterous individuals basking under the happy cognr

men of Paddy, and Canterbury Jack, who, having indulged in a weo-drappio too much, became fightahly inclined, and resolved to give the public n treat in the shape of a free battle. Round one, Paddy got tho best and brought Jack to his knees. On the second round victory favored the redoubtable Jack, who was pegging into Paddy under the short ribs. The representative of the Emerald Isle continued crying out “take it out of that,” but Jack couldn’t see the force of it and still kept pegging away. It is doubtful which would have conquered as the timely arrival of Constable Bell put an end to the scene. I observe that a letter appeared in tho last issue of the Cromwell Argus purporting to emanate from one “ D,” a resident of the Bannockburn, in which tho writer with some degree of justice complains against the unfair conduct exercised by those high in office and versed ip officialism. That I have consistently advocated and possibly feebly defended the Goldfields Secretary I am willing to acknowledge, but that he or any other person has a right to write to a defunct association that a mythical office should bo entitled to greater consideration than an existing and living body, i.e., the Bannockburn Association, is a theory not acceptable to my mind, nor to that of those who take an interest in the advancement of the goldfields. It is undeniable that the Bannockburn Association have' conferred many benefits upon the mining community as a whole, and that they have acted in a manner deserving of commendation. What peculiar genius er advantages the nominee Mr G. B. Douglass’may possess are possibly known to those alone who aro interested in this gentleman’s advancement. It is singular that in a large reefing district as the Garrick the populous Bannockburn, aided by a well organised association, that such red tapei-ra should be allowed to prevail and reign triumphant. The miserable apology of the Cromwell Argus is sufficient to evidence that a stigma was cast upon the Bannockburn community, and I make bold to assert that it will not be speedily forgotten. Though I have had reason to differ from the action and course pursue! by this association, it is beyond my power to deny that they have been achieving much good, and that they needed not the services of Mr Colclough nor the flattering of any journal to define what their course of conduct—under the circumstances—should have been. That a slur has been thrown upon the mining community is undeniable, and I trust in my next contribution to bo able to support every statement contained in this paragraph. One thing is evident, “ D” has right upon his side, and is supported by the majority of calm thinking men.