CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 822, 18 January 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(Communicated.) Can you enlighten the public as to the latest news from the seat of war ? Has anything taken place to jeopardise British interest in the east ? The troops here appear to be in great emotion in consequence of a cablegram received from the war office. The war notes of the trumpeter are to be heard daily in our streets. Like the knights of old, they are called upon to buckle up their girdles so -as to be ready for the deadly combat. It has been intimated that all regiments, must he kept np to the full strength, if not, to be disbanded. Regimental orders of the Ist and Sth instants are ysry stringent : all members absenting themselves for three consecutive parades «rUV,A n t- Io n »A A—J .1 U_

martial, and if found guilty of any breach of the order contrary to discipline, the offender or offenders are to be stripped of their facings, the shooting sticks and bayonets taken from them, and discharged the service with the greatest ignominy, in fact drummed out. Notwithstanding it being the General s inspection on the 2nd instant there was a poor attendance, but 1 am glad to state such was not the case on the 9th instant, as the ti oops mustered iu strong force. After the -inspection they marched through the principal streets headed by tho fife and drum, who beat up for 'recruits, and was successful so far that a few took the shilling on promise of getting bounty. Such inducement is generally held out in time of war. The local journal justly remarked it was most annoying and disheartening to the officers attending parades while tho men absented themselves. I quite agree, the gentlemen did not obtain their commissions without great expense and outlay, and the dignity and discipline of the serviae must be upheld. I was sorry to see that the Government intended to restrict playing at soldiers, but "no doubt it is a farce in such a place as Cromwell, Arrow, or Queenstown, : and I often wondered how the Government allowed it so long. It is right enough in such a place as Dunedin. 1 like to see young men with a little sprinkling of the soldier about them, bat what do I see here—no restriction a* to age or standard, from Tom Thumb up to Ah Shang, the Chinese giant, are quite acceptable. As for sound wind and limb, such is not thought of—bodily infirmity is no disqualification. Ages trom 15 to -70 are accepted. Only think of a man putting on the red coat in the latter end of his days, many with wives and large families, and in fact some with grand children ! Now, is it natural to think such men join for the love of fighting for their country. It cannot be expected. Those who have followed up a military life wonder at a man commencing to learn drill when he should be studying his prayers and bowing down to the grave. What a pity the old leather stock has been done away with, as I would like to see some of the old -chaps standing to attention with their chins resting on it. As the Irish drill sergeant remarked when commenting on the awkward appearance of a squad of -recruits he was drilling— “ Arrah, bloo-i and hounds, boys, if ye’es 'ectftld only see ye’ersclvcs now.” Along with being a farce it is a waste of money. According to the last report the Cromwell Hospital was L3OO in debt; now, had the Government subsidised towards that Institution what has been squandered on the Cromwell Volunteers it would most likely have liquidated the debt. The last race meetings Were allowed to pass without a concert or something of the kind being got up to assist in putting the institution on a sound footing. What was the result at the spring meeting 7 A concert in aid of the Volunteer Band was got up and carried out. Now, which was tho greatest object of charity 7 While the poor sick were neglected the red coats were showing off and enjoying themselves at the expense of the public. A great deal has been written and "said about Cromwell on its past, present, and future, as to what would most benefit the town. I would now suggest that a lunatic asylum be erected, as it is much needed, and 1 trust the matter will be promptly brought under the notice of our worthy member, so that ho can impress on the Government at the next meeting of the General Assembly the great necessity of such an institution. Since the red coat got amongst ns it is plain to be seen that there is something hovering'abdiit in the atmosphere caused by the great agitation of blocks IX., XXVII., separation, and last of all, the losing of tho County Town, the only hopes that Cromwell had of becoming a flourishing 'city being frustrated. I fear something fatal will occur.

One poor imbecile complains, because Providence so decreed it, tbit the family should be known by the print of the foot, and as the poor snob cannot supply him with shoe ■feather at the same rate as those with ordinarily sized feet, : bt thinks it an imposition, which enables the poor snob to keep a little nag for pleasure, and sometimes run hack races. What the poor snob has, is his own, obtained by honest labor—if the poor creature had inquired how it is publicans turn out with such pomp -horses, buggies, &c.. he could have been easily answered. Their dealings are with persons of unsound mind—lunatics caused by the use of alcohol, adulterated by the vendors, and freely supplied, which enables them to live on the fat ofthe land. Another instance—a Orothwellite on or about the Ist instant forwarded a telegram to the Otago Daily Times, stating that a man named Kelly got his skull smashed in, and death was instantaneous, tfnd that the same occurred under suspicious circumstances, and that the police had a clue. Now it appears that the man met with an. accident, and 1 am happy to state is progressing towards recovery. Other things have occurred that leads one to believe an eruption will take place. Cromwell looks well—we had a silver wedding here lately. Marsh’s proclamation, offers a reward Of twelve months free tucker to any person guaranteeing 1 a fair

pitTuGof auu-uuWiicin. vacajj uical-'i ut all hours of the most substantial nature. Plum duff, hog’s tail and turtle soups, from the hands of an experienced cook, always on hand. Dining-room detached from the hotel. No admittance to the bar. The meals being so substantial, I would recommend all who patronise the table, to visit Rost Goodger’s, the Junction Commercial Hotel, where Cognac, and all liquors of the best brands are kept—a stiff nobbier, with quinine or other bitters, half-an-hour before meals greatly assists the appetite, and is fine for indigestion—it would also help to clear the table, and not allow so much waste for the pig-tub.—Anything to raise the wind now-a-days.'