CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 826, 15 February 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL.

—» — (‘"OMMUNICATED.) February 12, 1878. The return of quartz batteries given in my last should have shown the numbers working. Out of mine Batteries of 71 stampers only one company is at work, viz., the Cromwell Company of 10 stampers. 1 also omitted to state that there are two district sehodls, one at Bannockburn and one at the Kawarau Gorge. Two more are required, one for Bendigo, one for Quartz-reef Point and Lowburn. Tho two latter places numbers thirty-six children. Public meetings have been held at Mr Perriam’s Welcome Home Hotel, Lowburn. lately, for the purpose of devising means to obtain a school. The people of Bendigo are much put about in consequence of not having a school. A little boy named John Stephens, eight years old, and son of Mr James Stephens, of Cornishtown, had a most miraculous escape 'from drowning on Saturday last. About 5 p.ra. the little fellow was on the south side of the Kawarau river and was takinga parcel out of tho chair which was tied up ; to remove the parcel the little fellow had to get into the chair, and while so doing the fastening gave way' She chair sliding to the centre of the rival. The boy got one foot partly into the chair holding on with his hands to the wire rope by which the chair is suspended when the foot got out and tho body swung at full length over tho water. The little fellow held on bravely, and, as luck happened, another Cornishtown boy, named Charles Mitchell, was on the north side, and who lost no time in bravely hauling in the chair. When within a few yards of the landing little Stephens became exhausted and fell on the gravel unhurt. He must have beeu in that position for at least seven minutes. The crossing is nearly 280 feet wide. Too much praise cat not be given to young Mitchell for his conduct, and I think the matter should be brought under the notice of the Humane Society. Had there been no person present the boy most assuredly would have lost his life, or if the the rope had become entangled as it often doe.s nothing could have saved him. Applications for agricultural leases on tho Cromwell commonage came before the Warden, Mr Simpson, on the Bth instant, objections to which were lodged by working m-n, raincs, &c. Mr Finn appeared on behalf of the objectors, Mr Wilson for tho applicants. Tho Warden ruled that the objectors had no standing in Court, as tho commonage was granted on tho ground that agricultural leases would be granted when applied for. Tho objectors must have been ignorant of the facts or no doubt they would not have attempted to lose their time and money on such a fruitless undertaking. The Wardcn'soveroly rebuked the objectors for coming into Court, stating that many of them while objecting to the land being leased and consequently paid tor, at tho same time shirked paying for grazing their cattle. No doubt it is very mean for any person to be guilty of such conduct, and there should be no compassion for them. It is well known that for days before tho muster of tho commonage horseflesh and stockwhips are not spare 1. If 'the inspector was to double round a few days after the muster ho would drop on a nice little patch. The depasturing fees, it appears, for the current year ending 30th September next, only realized L 23. Dne cattle farmer paying up would nearly amount to that much. It appears the Commonage was handed over to the Cromwell Municipal authorities for the good governing of it, and they appointed three butchers as wardens, but have never held a meeting. There has been no laws or rules laid down or drawn up for the guidance or protection of the commonage. People wero left in the dark. Nodoubt thewardens and a few others knew all about it, and are now the monopolisers. Tho blocks that have been taken up and fenced in are not cultivated, the only privilege is that persona can run cattle within some of the enclosures by paying handsomely for it. 1 cannot pass unnoticed the conduct of our ‘Volunteers on the occasion of tho opening of the Bannockburn Bridge. A dozen under arms, and the Band, wore in attendance. Tho first to attract the eye was the red coat dotted amongst tho assemblage wherever tho ladies were the red was sure to be seen. All wore enjoying themselves, some partaking of the good things provided, at the same time talking about the Russians crossing the Danube, when unexpectedly the bugler sounded the alarm, “ fall in double.” Not taking time to number off, tho troops doubled in forming on the bridge, so as to oppose the landing of the invaders The General gave orders to clear the thoroughfare, which was done at the ' point of the bardlet, -which act was considered uncalled for. • The word was then given to prepare for bayonet exorcise, 4c.-, which was gone through whilst his Honor Judge Harvey Was addressing the assemblage. T thought tho Commander might have shown a little courtesy towards the speaker and waited till he had done speaking before be showed off. Shortly afterwards the people began to disperse, and I could not help noticing the conduct of the Bannockburn contingent on them return home ; the road was thronged With men, women, and children, tho troops became scattered, and they kept up a continual fire along their rout. 1 do not think that any man, or men, calmly trained to the use of arms could bo guilty of such a breadh of discipline. It looked more like tho condact of a fabble mob than that of men trained to the art of war. No doubt it was blank cartridge that was used. There was a little insubordination amongst the bandsmen. The Bandmaster reminded his audordinates that ho was their "boss,” bnt the subordinates appeared to think otherwise, which caused the Bandmaster to march off the ground, cornet in hand. He deserted his post without the knowledge of tne vommauding Officer, and I suppose he will be court-marshalled. The All Nations Company, Macetown, has washed with the result of 390 ounces, which is far rhort of what was expected.

It appears that better stone is in view. - | The Tipperary claim looks very well it ap- i pears.—lt is stated that Captain Barry sold a share in tho Gladstone for LIOO ; the purchaser is M. M‘Lean,\Vanaka Station.—The Public Battery, now in course of erection near Macetown, will bo finished by the latter end of this week.—l am told that Mr T. Logan is about to remove his battery from the Carrick to Macetown, to the Marlborough claim.—Captain Barry was to deliver a lecture in the Library Hall, Arrowtown, on Saturday evening last : —Subject, “ The Macetown Mining Swindles, and tho Arrow Land Sharks." The lecture was to commence and wind up with a song fitting the occasion.