CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 818, 21 December 1877, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(Communicated.)

It may lie interesting to your review to know the duings of the Cromwellians. I notice there has been a lull of late, things have not come under notice as usual; an I odd snarl has appeared in the Cromwell 1 Argus in reference to meanness, etc. The | latest on the board worth notice was an i inquiry held by Mr Simpson at the Court House on the 14th instant, touching an application made by a Few smart men to have the remaining part of Block XXVII. thrown open for sale. It has come so often under the notice of the public, and the facts are so well known that it is unnecessary 1 should go into full particulars concerning it; still it may be prudent to give a little of its history. The block in question is situated on tbe south side of Melmorestreet, commencing at the Bridge Hotel and , ending at the old punt track, where it joins the celebrated block IX., which runs parallel. For many years the buildings did not extend further than Goodger’s Hotel, leaving a piece of the west end unoccupied, which the Government handed over in exchange fcr another, block XXVII. to be invested for the benefit of the municipality ; a site was selected for a town hall, which was erected in the centre. On the remainder there now stands several substantial buildings, occupied by bush lawyers, mining agents, printers, etc., and is known as Temple Chambers. Mr Wilson appeared on behalf of the petitioners. The inquiry was not on sworn testimony, so that scruple of conscience did not interfere. About the year 1809 a poor man came to Cromwell, and having a keen eye spotted this valuable piece of land, and no doubt looked upon it as a good site for a limb of the law to settle' on ; he accordingly made application to the Council, which was granted on lease at a yearly rental, and on which he erected a substantial mansion. During the inquiry he honestly stated that when squatting down he was hard-np, and for the first three years he managed to pay the rent, but was not sure as to the fourth year, but he might have paid it. Now being independent he refuses to pay, on the grounds that the Council has no right, and could not give one, it being tbe property of tho Government. Another branch of the profession squatted down undersimilar circumstances, who has a very comfortable nest for years past, and has paid rent to the amount of L 5. Next, a gentleman who holds important positions—is Commander of tho Cromwell forces, Chief Magistral”, editor and proprietor of the most important and widely circulated journal in the Southern hemisphere. This gentleman, also, honestly stated he occupied by right of purchase ; his predecessor paid rent, but that he paid none for tho three years he had been in occupation. There was also examined a poor watchmaker, and how ho got amongst the professionals was by purchase at auction, and paid LS as a deposit, but ho not being well up in law, was pounced upon by per. sons far more in arrear than himself, the result being an invitation to appear before the R.M. to show cause why ho should not be adjudged to pay rent, but it was settled out of Court. Another gentleman, some-

thing of the Yank, also purchased hy auction, and paid a deposit—is a Member of the Council, and has a considerable amount of property within tho Borough, but longs to have a slice on tho cheap. The whole corroborated the statement of tho first examined as to the cause of their not fulfilling their agreements. The petitioners pray compensation in cases of improvement. No person squatting on Crown lands, without taking proper steps to procure a right, should be allowed compensation. The block in dispute I consider the most valuable in Cromwell, and the most fitting place for public buildings, or business sites. Tho arrears of rent amount to about 1.800, notwithstanding the foot path in neatly laid out in front of their doors, where at one time the heavy footstep of tho pioneer was heard—tho Napoleon boot of the gold-mi-ner—has given way to tho gentle calf or patent leather that now treads on it—the rough jumper and wideawake is of the past, in their stead, is the belltopper and the most refined clothes. At present it is the most fashionable place of resort for the aristocracy of the City The inquiry ns I call it, into this Block, was really a hearing by the Local Officer, of argument, pro and con, as to whether it should be sold or not, the people, that is, those more particularly interested in the question, say yes; but some few, who are holding on tho cheap, say no. As the matter stands, however, no opinion being given by the presiding officer, there is no telling which side is to gain the day. The whole affair is a blot on the otherwise fair escutcheon of Cromwell, and to it and to one or two other transactions that will not bear the light of day, is to be traced the decrease of its population, within but a very short time seven families numbering from 35 to 40 souls have left us. and this will continue until the weal of all is considered, before private and individual interests

Great satisfaction has been expressed here at the steps taken by the people of Alexandra, with a view of presenting our worthy Member, Mr Pyke, with a substantial testimonial, I will say more on this subject in my next.