CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 829, 8 March 1878, Page 2

CROMWELL.

(Communicated.) Between Cromwell and Bendigo, which latter place I visited a few days ago, tho first thing that attracts the eye of the traveller is the lower flat, two ini’es from Cromwell, now under cultivation, the crops of which are very light. Mr Coodcer lost his through floods caused hy the overflow of the C'utha Bivor ; Mr Johnston also suffered much ; Mr Kidd was more fortunate, although he did not escape ; next is Mr Perriam, Lowhurn, who occupies the best business site in the district, has a fine substantial stone hotel and store—the latter is as extensive as any in Cromwell—and as general merchant commands a fine trade—his crops are much lighter than usual. Further on, seven miles from Cromwell, is tho junction of f.lherlown and Bendigo roads, where stands a building, once known ns tho Mount Pisa Hotel—the name is still to he seen over the. door, partly obliterated, and the name of the first proprietor is still conspicuous—poor fellow, he has gone to his silent home. Three miles further on is Piocky Point Punt, where a bridge is in course of erection ; in passing I observed tho men were all idle in consequence of nolhavi ig material to go on with tho works ; the piles are mostly driven, the river is very low leaving nothing therefore to impede the works—it will take, some time to complete it. A short distance after crossing the river is Mr M‘hood's farm containing hj crop of oats, of some forty acres, which is a good average cron, one patch of about eight acres uasusnally hrtivy, it being the first crop.

Next is Wakefield township, thirteen miles from Cromwell, where stands the Cromwell Company’s Battery. On approaching tlio place it appeared almost deserted, the Battery standing motionless. Wakefield was, some years ago, all bustle and excitement, but now it has only one hotel and a store. The silence of the Battery gives the place a different aspect to what it used to have when the sound of the stampers was to be heard afar off. A mile further on is the old alluvial workings—the well-known Bendigo Gully. In the early part of the rush, before the discovery of the reefs, it Wis the centre of attraction, with a large population, but of the places of business there only now remains an hotel and store, kept by Mr Charles O’Donnell, the oldest resident and business man in that locality; the store is substantially built of stone, and is well stocked with merchandise, he also carries on the business of butcher and baker. The gully all round has been turned over and over, first by Europeans, and secondly by Chinese, of the latter there are two remaining on the spot—no European miner is now to be seen. A mile up the range, and in direction of the reefs, is Logantown. This township sprang up on the outbreak of the reefs, and in 1870 had a large population, eight or ten hotels, shanties, stores, boardinghouses, &0., and was called after Mr Logan, one of the prospectors. The township now' consists of two places of business only—a boarding-house and a butcher’s shop, there are also a few huts dotted about. Welshtown, close by, comprises a few neat little iron cottages, also a small iron building where Divine Service is performed-—the cottages are the homes of the resident reefers. The Aurora Battery of ten stampers has been removed on to the Cromwell Company’s claim, and is worked by a turbine, but is now out of order, and was at a standstill when I saw it. When working it will be a great saving to the Cromwell Company, as stone can be crushed on the claim that would not pay for carting. There are about forty men employed in connection with the Company’s claims ; there are also three men prospecting the Hit or Mias “ Rooney’s ” claim. There was nothing to note on my return, more than crossing the Punt, both ways, which costs 8s for a vehicle, one horse, and two passengers. It takes the Punt about three minutes to cross. The completion of the Bridge will be a.great benefit to travellers as well as to the residents. Land, land, is the cry here ! Nearly 5,000 acres are thrown open between Wakefield and Tarras district under the agricultural lease system, and is open for application on and after the 4th instant. The Wakefield block is on the west side of the Clutha River, commencing at Lowburn ‘Creek, ending somewhere above the Punt. The Tarras block is on the east side, commencing where Bendigo Gully empties into the Clutha running along fronting the river to Manuka Point from thence to the lagoon to Mr M’Lean’s old hut, near the Hawea Elat. . Mr John Armstrong (the Irish Pilgrim, and the greatest soliloquist and wonder of the age, is at present in Cromwell, and is visited by numbers, at Goodger’s Commcr- I •cial Rooms. Mr As studio is the centre of attraction, and I notice many going in without a smile and lips compressed, but on returning were as jolly looking as the Pilgrim himself, no concealing of the masticators. I am told that Mr Armstrong is to deliver a lecture in aid of the Cromwell Hospital. Prom his well known ability and experience as a lecturer a crowded bouse may be expected. He is a humorist, and “frolic, mirth, and fun ’’ will be the discourse for an hour and a half.