CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 723, 25 February 1876, Page 3

CROMWELL.

On Wednesday last, the 23rd instant, the Cromwell Water Works were taken over from the Contractor, and duly opened by the Mayor. During the morning, the contractor, aided by a gang of men, were busy erecting a most imposing looking fountain, and making such other preparations, so that no hitch in the arrangements should occur. Carpenters and other artificers were busy erecting a staging for the magnates of the town, and in festooning the town with flags and garlands of evergreens. In the meantime, people from all round the district began to gather, and by 2 o’clock, the hour appointed for the celebration, there could not have been less than 20q people. Mr Whetter’s band initiated the proceedings by playing a lively piece of music ; this being concluded, and the staging taken possession of by the Mayor and Council of the town, the Mayor of Clyde, the Secretary for Goldfields, the district Resident Magistrate and Warden, the Contractor, representatives of the various banking institutions, the District Road Engineer, Mr Baird, ex-clerk of the R.M. Court, and one or two others, D. A. Jolly, Esq., Mayor, rose, and saying that the Cromwell Water Works being finished to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Works, as by certificate held in his hand, he had great pleasure in handing the certificate to Mr J. Drummy, contractor, and took the occasion of publiokly congratulating him on carrying out his contract so successfully. Mr Drummy then handed the Mayor the key of the Water Works. The Mayor thereupon proceeded to the fountain, which was immediately opposite the platform, and turned the water on, the fountain, which played excellently, showing the power of the water to be sufficient, if, in the event of a fire, to drown ontjany building. The Fire Brigade then marched to a fire plug and turned on the water, this by far showed better the force of the water than the fountain, and was convincing to the most sceptical, that the-Cromwell Waterworks from the Firewood Creek source was a success, and would prove the greatest success Cromwell ever had had conferred on it since its origin. Speechifying and toasting now followed, but from the fact of our being unable to obtain a {position near the platform, we are incompetent to give the least idea of what was said. We can only say, however, from hearing an occasional reference to the ■General and Provincial Governments, Mar--quis of Normanby, Sir Julius Vogel, Borrowing Bills, and Water Works, Cromwe'l, ourselves,|hc ,by the vaiious speakers, who ■included the Mayor, Cm Grant and Taylor, W. L. Simpson, Esq., R.M. and Warden, and D. MacKellar, and from the filling and emptying of glasses, we imagine everything was said that should have been, and we must invest our readers with powers sufficient to do likewise. At this stage of the proceedings a storm, which had been hanging over head some time, burst, and the heavy wet which was freely distributed, not suiting the palates of either speakers or audience, a somewhat sudden dispersement took place, each seeking shelter as best ho could -; thus was brought to a close the proceedings of the day. The evening was celebrated by a Ball in the Athenaeum, given by the Mayor, and to which, cut of the hundreds of invitations issued, fully •eighty couples appeared in response. Dancing commenced --about 9 o’clock, and was kept up, without intermission, till 5 o’clock the following morning,'Mr Whetter’s Band discoursing music for the occasion. Mr J. Scott did the catering during both day and night, and Mr Webb did the decorating. ROXBURGH. —a—{from our own correspondent.) February 23, 1876. I am happy to inform you that Mr D. Reid has been amongst us, and that the long wished forjpromise has been redeemed No great hopes were belt out with regard to the reservoir at the head of the stream, but, still it may be carried through. As regards land, we are promised that portion of Messrs Cargill and Anderson’s run lying between the Pomaha-wik track and the Dumbarton Rook, besides about 2000 acres behind the holdings of the settlers at Coal Creak Flat. In mining matters—of coarse, the scarcity of water has been the general complaint, those having the last right to the supply from the Teviot stream being unable to work. ' The harvest throughout the district generally has been excellent, and the few warm showers that have, fallen during the last week have had a beneficial effect on the ■pastures. Mr H. Heron, of the 14-Mile Beach, has leased the Commercial Hotel, so long held by Mr J. heighten, and we hope to see Mr and Mrs Heron meeting with patronage which they richly deserve, AUSTRALIAN CABLE. —o— The Australian Cable is now open to the public. The following are the-charges, in addition to the New Zealand rates : To Sydney—First 10 words, 8s •; each additional word, 9id. To other Stations in N.S.W.—First 10 words, 9s 6d ; each additional word, lOd. To all Stations in Victoria—First 10 words, 9s fid ; each additional word, lid. To all Stations in South Australia, exclusive of overland line tariff-First 10 words, 9s fid ; each additional word lid. All Stations in Tasmania—First 10 words, 13s fid ; and la per word for A. and N.Z. Caiolo, and 2s for every five words, or fraction of five words, for Tasmanian Cable. For London and places in Europe a word rate of 10s fid per word, to which must ho added 9s 6d for every 10 words, or fraction thereof, and lid for each additional word, being tho rate from New Zealand to Melbourne. The best color -for faces—water-color. The table of interest—the dinner-table.