CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 704, 15 October 1875, Page 2

CROMWELL.

—o— • < (FROM OCR OW'Jf CORRBSFOKDSifT.) It is sometimes useful to look up, old, papers, and in perusing the Lancet of March 1, 1873, a case is reported which may not be without interest to the medical fraternity and the general public, especially those who have been too frequently compelled to pay extortionate charges for medicine. Briefly stated, the facts were—One Mr James O’Flanaghan, a Licentiate of ‘the Edinburgh College of Physicians, as wejl as of the Glasgow Faculty, claimed L 3 135,6 d for medical attendance, but Judge Mulcaster decided against the plaintiff, because “he had practised as a, general practitioner,",, and added, “you have charged as an apothecary, and had no right to do so.” By this it will be seen that the leamod Judge allowed the plaintiff to be considered a physician, and to charge accordingly, but he denied his right to charge for drugs, or to act as a. general practitioner. This decision was appealed against, but the judgment was uphold. It is within my knowledge that certain M.D.’s in country towns have for years “ practised as general practitioners,” and have obtained judgments in, the inferior courts, but now that the law has been so clearly defined, a different ruling may be expected, and greater security and protection afforded duly qualified medical practitioners. Lot those who have spent years of study and care to fit themselves for their onerous duties have the protection the law decrees, and the interests of society demand. “It never rains but it pours,” is an old proverb, and, notwithstanding, a true one, and if an instance were wanting our opulet t city furnishes it. Attracted, no doubt, by the fabulous reports c»noerning the reefs, a barber was lured from Dunedin, and opened his shop, anticipating to make a fortune in a very short time, but, alas ! the fates wore unpropitious, and he, like others, had in three weeks, to succumb. The landlord, stern and unrelenting, wanted his rent; the knight of the brush and comb was not in funds, and thought the host course to pursue in such an extremity was to speed to a mors genial clime, and while all other folk were slumbering, ho was awake and vanished, between Saturday night and Sunday morning. He has not since been heard of, and I guess it will be a long time before he is again seen in these parts. Such is the fate of greatness. Nothing daunted by this, two new saddlers have been induced to settle; another taller to engage premises,

and the 41 pink of fashion" is also _ about to ake oflr measure for boots. A wood turner, nmed Davie*, has written to all tho carpenters, stating his intention to “start business at Cromwell provided he can obtain steam power.” A publican from tho Arrow, it is rumored, intends weeing tho patronage of the non-templars, and tho latter are about to open a Temperance Hotel. All that is required to render the chapter complete is a third blacksmith, another butcher, an additional baker, and an evening paper. There is no use in doing things by halves, and as tho bankruptcy laws have been considerably amended, one need not fear. But I would ask, in all soberness, what there is to encourage this ■unprecedented rush of tradesmen. Clyde docs not even boast of a shoemaker, or a tailor, yet here we are to be blessed with four shoemakers, two tailors, three saddlers, three butchers, and two blacksmiths. Is this the outcome of the quartz mania, or have these illustrious strangers seen through an horoscope, the lenses of which wore somewhat dusty ? There is not sufficient ■work for all, and it is to be feared some will me abandoning a settled business for an un- ■ cert.vn one, but why prognosticate T Time will tell. Mr J. H. Low and Mr Bell proceeded on Monday last, under instructions from the Genera' Government, to survey and report upon the Bannockburn and Camck Range Water Race. They were accompanied by Mr James Taylor, (Chairman) and Mr J. Marshall, the Secretary to the Association It appears a considerable sum of money—l think about L 5750 has been placed upon the supplementary estimates for the purpose of completing this race. Mr Taylor •deserves some credit for the persistent way in which he has caused the matter to be brought under the attention of the General Government. Mr Lowe has had considerable ■experience in his profession, having been fora long time District Surveyor on the West Coast, which position he filled with honor until he was created Resident Magistrate and Warden for the Nelson Southwest Goldfield. Having to proceed to England on private business, he resigned, much to tho regret of tho residents. I shall look forward to the report with interest, as 1 feel certain it cannot be otherwise than favorable to the Association and the District. At length, the pipes for carrying out the Firewood Waterworks Scheme have arrived, and it is currently reported that the work will be proceeded with at once, which Is an end “devoutly to be wished,” as, during the past week Cromwell has been buried in clouds of dust, necessitating storekeepers and others to keep their doors closed. It is feared that the inhabitants will not partake of the pellncid stream duringSke present summer, nor will the water be avaijable to lay that dust for which the city is so notorious. On Saturday last Boreas made his influence felt, and roofs of houses carried off rand unvolimtarily performed several astounding acrobatic feats upon the Cromwell Flat. Sheets of zinc were passing.. through the air, making night hideous, and residents at ,the Kawarau Gorge -were so alarmed that they to f >k shelter outside their habitations. A large quantity of fluming was carried away, and other damage done. At the time of writing, the weather has but slightly moderated. The Bruce Lodge, T.O. G. T., purpose celebrating their anniverrary at Halliday’s eld hotel, Bannockburn, in about a fortnight, but in what manner it has not yet transpired. Although, it may be safely assumed that the lovers of Terpsichore will not be disappointed, and that all who feci disposed will he allowed to indulge in the mazy waltz, or the more exciting Irish jig, •or Scotch red.