CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 830, 15 March 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL.

fCo-SaiUKiCATITD.) March 12. The people of "Queenstown appear to be In great consternation as the Government has refused to contribute towards the Easter demonstration. A meeting of the demon--1 stration Committee was held at Eichardt's j Hotel on the 23rd ultimo, 'Captain Eiun in I the Chair. Letters from the Government j were read, stating that there was no funds for the purpose. A letter from -Geneva* j Hannah was 'also road, stating'that the: troops under hta command would attend, i and that nearly all .the people of Jnvcrcar- I gill may bo expected to witness the grand ‘ display of military tactics. It was proposed seconded and carried that a deputation of Officers of high rank wait on the County ' Council, soliciting a donation in aid of the 1 demonstration, and on the Borough Council for the same purpose ; also, that a Subscription List be forwarded to General Hannah, and Captain Hayward in Invercargill. Now I wonder will the County Council bo so generous as to comply with the request seeing that the Government has refused, no doubt, on the grounds that playing at soldiers in such a place as Queenstown is a farce. Now the Volunteers see what the Government thinks of them, were they to resign in a body and lay down their guns and bagoneta it would shew a little pluck, or if they were to desert, I fancy the Government would hardly offer a reward for their arrest. There is to he a grand muster of troops here on Saturday the 16th instant—they are to fall in at 2 p.m. sharp, I suppose it is in honor of old M St. Pat.”—the chin straps on this occasion are to be worn in their proper places—the belltoppevs lam told are done away with, the dress will be strict uniform, and any of you Clydeites that have not seen the Victorian Cross come np, the display will bo the grandest yet witnessed. Drill Instructor Scully arrived here on the Bth instant, he will remain until honor is .done to Old Ireland’s Patron Saint. What do yon think ? some bad-minded person wrote to some of the big men at Wellington, the Maori King, and I believe Te Kooti got hold of it—it also came to the ears of Sir George Grey—the letter stated that one of our Doctors died in October, 1876, which caused his name to be erased off the Medical Practitioner’s list—bad ses to the blockhead,'t do not know what put such a thing in his head, for sure the gentleman is as jolly as ever, as strong as a bullock, and nearly as heavy—“ One who wants to know yon know ” had bettor look out, if he does not, he will have no cause to congratulate himself. The “ Pilgrim ” delivered a Lecture here yesterday evening, and I am sorry to state not to a crowded audience—if some strolling mountebank. came forward notifying that he would dance, or sing a song, the youths of Cromwell would flock to see and hear him, but when a gentleman appears, whose discourse is amusing and instructive, he is allowed to do so to empty seats— so much for the intelligence of this delightful place.