OUR CROMWELL LETTER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 881, 7 March 1879, Page 3

OUR CROMWELL LETTER.

—o Mr Drummy, the contractor for the reerection of the Macandr»w Bridge, Kawarau, during the whole of the week has allowed foot passengers to cross, and by the beginning of next week the bridge will be so far completed astoallowof wheeled traffic passing over. The completion of this work will be a great convenience, and no inconsiderable saving to the tradesmen and iesidents of Cromwell, as by the chair, the only means of communication between Cromwell and the important districts of Bmnockburn and Isevis, the crossing of goods and merchandise was not only fraught with danger, hut entailed considerable loss of time and no end of expense The work of re-erection has been a far more difficult task than was an icipaied. The work, however, has been faithful y done, and reflects credit on the contra-tor. I have not heard if there is to he any demonstration at the opening ; hut if so, it is to he ho: ed it will not he such a miserable affair as when the County took it over.

The dust nuisance to the north of Cromwell, caused by the deposit of silt at the Lowkurn and w hat is called the Upper Flat, is becoming insufferable, and calls for some action to be taken ; but on whom falls the duty 1 And again, what is to be done *to stay it when the responsibility has found "a proper resting place ? These are nuts that will be not only hard to crack, but. when cracked, digested. There was a hope that a new road, up high on the terrace right out of the way of the deposit, would have be'-n made, but now that Mr Perriam has fenced in an agricultural block right across the line of roa way, there is nothing for it Hit to bravely tackle the rid road, and endure with Christian fortitude a dust storm for about a mile. I am perfectly aware that it is no part of a correspondent’s duty to give opinions on this, that, nr every subject, but offering suggestions and giving opinions I hold to be two different things. 1 will venture a suggestion on this dust question. - In the first place it has to he argued whether this calami ty is a general one, to be battled with by the whole of the County, i purely a local one. Assuming the latter,

I would suggest that funds he locally raised, and whatever ho the amount, that it be subsidised by the County at the rate of LI to every LI raised, and the money expended in divertin' the water of the Lowburn Creek and washing the whole accumulation into the Clutha. The idea may be reckoned utopian, but as there is any amount of water to bring to bear, and plenty of fa l !, I will humbly submit that the scheme is worth a thought, if not a trial. It must be borne in mind that it is not alone the clearing of the road, but the reclamation of the farms between the road and river, that is practicable. And so we are to have a Church of England parsonage, and in due course a resident clergyman. A concert in aid of the Parsonage Fund is to be held here on the 25th inst. I really did not think we were so good, but such must be the case, as we a-e promised resident clergymen for both Episcopalians and Presbyterians, in addition to the Roman Catholic priest we have already located with us. Goodger’s Commercial Hotel had a narrow escape Sie other evening. One of the kerosene lumps exploded, and the ignited liquid being sent iu every direction, things for a few moments did not look cheerful, but wi'h a good deal of buffeting the flames were put out, and all danger was at an end. With the well known admiration for anything scentific possessed by Mr Goodger, it is a wonder he does not introduce the electric light, and then the danger of fire would he at an end. The latest invention is a light occupying no more space than a common table lamp, and is vorked by clock springs. L have great pleasure in calling his attention to it. It is referred to in the Philadelphia correspondent’s letter to the Boston Cnamber of Commerce.

Cromwell was well n-presented at the Dune’in races, and this, amongst other things, probably accounts for a little dullness and a dearth of news. I shall hope to send more interesting news next week.