CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 718, 21 January 1876, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(FROM OUR OW.V correspondent.) The Corporation of Cromwell deserve to be immortalised. To be associated with that body is an inestimable honor, and worthy securing. To enjoy the advantage of local government, and the distinction and privilege of being a flourishing Councillor, of having the power of framing bye-laws by which peaceful citizens but unfortunate owners of goats and cows are constantly brought before the Magistrate, and fined ; to inspect and direct public works, of which one knows little or nothing ; to misdirect (of course unintentionally) the outlay of the public funds; to pass and pay contracts which afterwards give rise to litigation ; to create a nuisance without attempting to abate it; to have a Council meeting which is generally limited to three or four at the outside; to encourage the spread of extravagant and chimerical ideas ; to push matters of weighty importance through a sparsely-attended meeting, these, and similar acts, will doubtless, in the end, secure an unenviable distinction, and recommend the possessor thereof to the favorable consideration of the electors, while their names will become as familiar, but not as popula-, as Dicke s’ Household Words. It is well known that the Council is create 1 hy the Otago Corporation Ordinance 18155, and one of the primary duties expected from persons elected as councillors is to “ adopt measures for cleansing the town.” Section seventy-one of tha same Ordinance, vests the night soil, dung, aslms, filth, and refuse, in the Corporation, who are also empowered t > select a manure depot, which they have done, hut, where ? Two or three miles away from the town, or away from private property or public buildings. No, but on the contrary, -within the precincts of the town, and within 150 yards of the Catholic Ohurch and School-room, the Couro-house, and Police quarters. The stench arising there from on a hot day is something frightful and calculated to spread disease and fever in its most malignant form. It is only the other day that Constable Gallagher was driven to the Cromwell Hospital, prostrated with that fearful enemy fever. Is this then to be wondered at when it is known that this pestilential bed is almost at tho very threshhold of the Police quarters, and if any of the Councillors, who rarely give me the credit of being correct, ns it doesn’t suit their book, will take a walk round the indicated spot, they will then bo able to testify from personal inspection. We have a Board of Health, composed of the Connell, but for all tbo good they effect the community would ba as well off without their valuable aid or sagacious counsel On this flat there are a number of private dwellings, independent of the bnildings specified, and the Church of England, and is it to be argued they are to endure a nuisance created by tbo very power that is supposed to renross anything partaking of' that nature. Tho malaria arising from this depot has long been a matter of complaint, and it is within my knowledge that complaints have already been lodged with tho

Town Clerk, but up to the present they have been treated with scant courtesy. With whom, then, does the fault rest—certainly not with the ratepayers. Enough has been written to canso the Council to make some stir in the matter, or the interference of the Court will be invoked, if proceedings in that direction have not boon already instituted. Tho farmers aro now actively engaged harvesting. Tho crops in general are in a flourishing condition. Tho ordinary wages prevail. Mr Perriam has erected a fine store at the Lowburn, which may safely be pronounced as second to none in the district. It is large, spacious, well ventilated, and is built of stone. It is the intention of the proprietor to enter more extensively into storekeeping, ironmongery, and drapery. I his spirited enterprise indicates the faith that Mr Perriam has in the prosperity of the Lowburn and Bendigo. Mr I'. Heron was the contractor for the carpentering. That o’d favorite, Mr Thomas Parsons, has the mail contract between Cromwell and Queenstown, an I last week he put a new coach upon the road. Mr Parsons is so well known that any encomium is unnecessary, as his uniform courtesy has been duly appreciated by the travelling public. 1 feel certain that he will perform his contrast to the letter. On Friday last, the 14th instant, the Clutlia Hotel was knocked down by Mr J. W. Barry to Mr John S. Burres, of Cromwell, for the sura of L 1240. At the conclusion of this Mr Baird's residence, Melmoro Terrace, was, without previous notice, offered, and bought in at L 450. On Monday last an inquest was held at the Victoria Hotel, before Dr Corse and a jury, upon the remains of Sinn Yee, a Chinaman who died suddenly on the 15th instant, when being conveyed to the Hospital. The jury found that the deceased, Sinn Yee, died from natural causes. The following rider was attached : “ That the practice of sending to Clyde for a surgeon (except in special cases) to hold a post mortem is to bo deprecated, seeing it entails more expense, and that there is a qualified surgeon resident at Cromwell. DUNEDIN". —o—(from our correspondent.) January 16. 1876. The Election for Port Chalmers has been the principal topic discussed during the time between the Nomination and the Polling Day on account of the'peculiar features of the situation ; hitherto, Port Chalmers has always returned a Proviucialist—it was thought that the Hon. W. H. Reynolds would be rejected on principle, but such is not the case, for he was elected by a majority of some fifty over his opponent, Mr Green. Both parties fought hard to secure success—the result might have been o’herwise had not some two or three men who were supposed to he connected with the Anti Centralist League busied themselves in the matter, and thereby caused a revultion of feeling against what the Electors thought an impertinent attempt at dictating who should be the Member for the Port, therefore it must not be taken that the constituency is in favor of Centralism when they elected the rejected of Dunedin to gain the seat—he has made promises to satisfy the most ardent Proviucialist, most palpably swallowing the Leek. The past week a number of serious accidents have occurred ;—a man had his thigh broken on board ship at Port Chalmers, he was brought to the Hospital but died shortly after arrival—A man named William Mervyn foil down the mam hatch of the ship Canterbu r y, coming in contact with the Kelson injuring his right thigh frightfully. tho hone sticking out above the knee several inches. Dr Drysdale attended him, and advised his removal to the Dunedin Hospital. Hopes are entert'-ine lof his recovery.—A fatal boat acci lent occurred in the upper harbor some young men were out for a sail when, by some means, a youm man in the employ of one of the wholesale houses, was, it is said, knocke 1 overboard by the boom. He sunk like a stone, and was not seen again. His holy has not yet been recovered.—The official enquiry into the wreck of the Lady of the Lake steame-, for seme time trading to Molyneax month, the ao'ing master's certificate has been suspended for three months. The evidence discloses negligence -which it is feared is too prevalent in coasting vessels—in not being provided with patent log, or attend mg to sailing directions laid down in tlnNew Zealand Pilot for Ihe guidorc ■ of masters navigating the coast. Fortunately, no loss of life occurred, though the passenger (a lady) and crew had to take to t" e boats. They were landed safe'y. Tho Cook’s Strait cable has been caught at last, so now we may soon expect to hav communication by wire again an accomplished fact. Dr Gillies, Health Officer, reports that thirty cases of scarlet fever have occurred in Dnnodin, two of which prove I fatal, the rest are all, or nearly all, convalescent. It. has been rumored that some cases have not been reported, but such is not substantially tho case. Dr Bakewell, of Trinidadian experience, after the style of Dr M’Lnre, of Invercargill, threatens not to give a report to the Health Officer, though he reported a case under the charge of a brother medico. The question is asked—What will he 1 is next vagary! The Corporation publish the two clauses of the Public Health Act hearing on the subject, as a caution to medical men and tho public. A (lie occurred at Brown and Sons’ Flour Mill, Bond-st., which is situate close (o the Harbor Chambers and Star office. The Brigade was soon on tho spot, but owing (o some unexplained reason, the water was not got on for fully a quarter of an hour. In the meantime the fire spwnd conri lerably. The insniau es on tl., a.-jju I plant aro LISOO in the various offices. The damage is estimated at something like L7OO It is supposed to have originated from over heating of the healings of the machinery.

Tbo absurd amendments in the Stamp Act relating to promissory notes and Bills of Exchange are causing a great deal of annoyance and vexation to the public. A woman, said to ho worth 1.50,000, is in custody at Frahran, Victoria, on a charge of stealing a saucepan and a plated spoon from a store. The Mayor of Melbourne has purchased loaves from seventy-eight master bakhrs in Melbourne, and finds the average deficiency in weight to bo three ounces and a half, the minimum one ounce, and the maximum five ounces. The body of the young man drowned has been recovered and brought to the Hospital. Mr Bastings is returned for Wakaia.