CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 837, 3 May 1878, Page 3

CROMWELL.

(Communicated.) Great complaints are made here with regard to the Survey Department, and the charges for survey. The District Surveyor’s office being at Clyde of course the surveyor’s travelling expenses have to he paid ; hut when several lots in the Cromwell district are surveyed at one time it is considered unfair for each applicant to have to pay mileage. If only one journey is made why should sundry persons have each to pay? 1 also hear loud complaints about people paying money for survey when making applications for leases, of the work not done, and the persona paying not being able to got the money back. I would like to know if it was the intention of the Legislature, when making the Municipal Act, that its powers wern to bo directed for the special benefit of members of the Municipal body, or for the protection of the interests of the citizens and public generally ? At a late inquest on the body of a man who was killed tbroueb falling overtbe|embankment at theback of thetown, a rider was added about this dangerous embankment. Now, at the last meeting of the

Council 1 see nothing in its records about it and no steps are being taken to prevent a similar accident—is there not negligence here? The Police have taken steps to remove a public nuisance that exists in our midst, hut find themselves powerless for want of the support of the Corporation, as the removal of tile nuisance would settle Flock IX question, and this, you know, would never do. 1 think this is a very favourable opportunity to introduce those beautiful lines by Bobby Burns—“Oh, wliad some Power the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others sec us, It would fra many a blunder free ns, and silly notion. ’’ Out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks ! fam well pleased to see men like Mr M'Ginnis takeiTfrom obscurity and put in the position of a County Councillor, with no ambition to gratify but simply to take a part in the governing of the Country of his adoption, and its progress. It is to ho hoped there will bo more of the same stamp of men returned at the next general election.—We had a visit from the County Chairman, and he does not look much the worse for his ill-treatment by the Cromwell folks—While on the subject of County matters, I hear an argument took place that Mr Dickie should he appointed Hunger, &0., on account of his having lost an arm. Upon all occasions I wish to see charity extended to the unfortunate, and must give credit for the good and honest intentions of the Councillor who adduced the argument, still, it must be borne in mind that the Vincent County Council was not established for the purposes of charity alone, but to do the best they can for the County generally. I believe Mr Dickie is in every way qualified (save the one) for the otiice, and a very deserving individual, and had he met with his misfortune while in the services of the County Council it might very reasonably have been given as an excuse fo>- his being appointed. But, to every practical man it must be plain that to do his duty properly it will oftentimes be necessary to travel over some very rough and mountainous country, and also to interfere with people owning cattle, and also with hawkers, who, it is within the bounds of possibility may cut up rough, and not he the pleasant chaps they are when trying to persuade you to buy their wares.—l sea members of the County Council have decided to divide the Hawea Riding. Wo must boar in mind, with the large amount of land taken up in that direction this should be a rich end of the County, and if the Council can only get the railway pushed through to the Hawea and Wanaka Lakes, to enable timber to be landed along the line at a reasonable rate, it will cause a stir yet. I am pleased to see the feeling of one town fighting against the other gradually dying out, and the members of the County Council going in fur the benefit of the County as a whole. Your contemporary complains about the delay in completing Rocky Point Bridge. No one can doubt or challenge the necessity of the work being pushed on with as fast as possible, but the difficulties of a contractor getting material to a place like that must be taken into consideration. The question is, has there been any delay thatcouldhave been obviated ? If so, punish the contractor by inflicting the fines. But before exercising such a power the Council should, for themselves, ascertain the various causes of delay and not take for granted every talc that reaches them from outside, if this course is adopted justice will result, and no room be left for grumbling ; what with the loss of a steam engine on Lake Wanaka that was to have been used in cutting the piles, the many difficulties afterwards experienced in getting the piles, and the continuous floods in the Clutha that utterly precluded the prosecution ofwoik ttie contractor has had no slight difficulties to contend against, and which should lie thrown into tho scales in his favor. A novel idea has been introduced by our enterprising townsman Mr Talboys, draper, that of holding sales by auction of groceries aud drapery. The first sale has been held, and, by the attendance, must have been successful, close on LIOO being taken, and prices realised satisfactory. It has long be«n tho complaint of Cromwellitcs that the township has not been much better than a hawkers depot, as the grocery stores not only trade in drapery but deliver in the neighborhood every conceivable article from a pins, to a bottle of grog, and no one is allowed to come into the township to invest their money. Mr Talboys is determined to be satisfied with a reasonable profit, and i hereby got his share of the ready cash in the neighborhood. Let us hope this may be tho starting-point for establishing a market. I hoar tlie sales are to be continued fortnightly, and if so, why not have a market hero, and let people bring in local produce as well, I am sure the thing only wantsd start ; but Cromwell people have been too busy on account of the war. Now let us, as there is a prospect of peace, turn our swords into ploughshares, and try to attract the commerce of the district here. Mr Bothomley, of the Bank of New Zealand, loft Cromwell for Palmerston. I believe. Mr flotlioinley carries with him tho good wishes ofhis numerous acquaintance, for his unassuming aud gentlemanly manners.