CROMWELL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2146, 23 March 1870, Page 2

CROMWELL.

(FROM our own correspondent.) 15tli March, 1870. That great want, the want of an efficient supply of Avater for mining purposes, forces itself once more upon public attention. In this instance it arises in connection avith the Bendigo quartz reef Avorkings. The Aurora machine, Avhich was set agoing a few weeks ago under the most promising auspices, has already become seriously hampered in its operations, and unless a change takes place shortly in the state of the Aveather the probability is that it Avill be brought to a stand* still. The cnmjDany’s race is known to be exposed to a block up during the seA'erity of winter, but a short supply during the remainder of the year is altogether an. exceptional event. The past season, however, has been a remarkable one. In previous communications I have explained that in addition to the summer having been hot and dry, but very little suoav fell during the winter, and Avhat little fell eA r aporated almost as soon as the season broke up. There are other reasons to account for the shortness of supply in the Aurora race. The broken, shiA r ered character of the country through Avhich it passes, absorbs a large proportion of the precious fluid, and in all probability the day will sooner or later arrive when the question of constructing extensive fluming will be worth Avhile considering. Meantime the horse starves until the grass grows. This is another standing rebuke to the Government for the laxity displayed in the matter of the Avater supply scheme. What has become of the select committee or commission appointed during the last session, of the Assembly to give effect to that proposal. Years have elapsed since it Avas first admitted to be an urgent necessity by the Legislature of Otago and certain preliminary steps in the shape of surveys and reports were taken. Each succeeding year has shown it to be more and more of an urgent necessity, and yet doAvn to the present moment we are as far as ever from realising any well digested scheme for its removal. It creates something more than a regret, when we find such indifference manifested towards an interest of so much importance as that of the goldfields pursuits. The latest aspect of the affair simply resolves itself into this Are the promising discoveries at the Bendigo, like the square miles of auriferous country by which they are surrounded, to be left dormant for Avant of an opportunity forAVorking them? Dunedin may secure every facility for commercial enterprise Avhich political influence and a lavish expenditure can provide, but she will lack the one thing needful, viz., an outlet for that enterprise. On the opposite side of the district, at the Garrick Range, things are a trifle more promising. You have already had intimation of the result of the trial crushing from Pipeclay Gully. The place is much more favorably situated for water than the Bendigo, so that the prospects for a machine at the one are better than at the other. In CroniAvell ave have had another bird’seye vieAV of the beauties of local self-govern-ment. Mr W. H. Whetter, who was summarily deposed by decree of the Supremo Court from the Mayoralty, was allowed to creep in Avithout opposition as representative for the Bridge Ward. No sooner does Mr Whetter make his appearance at the council board than the old spirit of opposition manifests itself. I should explain that not only Avas Whetter deposed, but likeAvise three of the Councillors who held office under him, which left only one Councillor legally qualified. Now the question arises—What is to be done with the acts and deeds of that assumed Council ? The vestige of legality it

ean lay claim to is the one solitary Councillor referred to above, and it would appear from the minutes of the meetings that that particular Councillor was not always present, consequently the acting team was left without the color of law on its side. To test the question, a motion, since the reorganisation took place, was made, that the minutes of the assumed Council should be expunged. That proposal was met by a counter-motion that these acts should be homologated; but as neither party appear to see their way clearly, the matter has been left in the muddle. If the acts are rescinded, some serious personal hardships will result of homologated abuses of a public character will ensue. A still less pardonable piece of opposition was manifested to a proposal brought forward by the Mayor (Mr G. W, Goodger), to supply the town with water. Finding he could not bring the opposition team together in the Council, he called a public meeting of the ratepayers, at which, as a matter of right, Mr Whetter put in an appearance and stated a variety of objections. The only one that weighed with the meeting was a proposal to adjourn the further consideration of the question until it had been discussed by an ordinary meeting of the Council, fixed for last night. Last night came, but the meeting did not take place. The only parties who put in an appearance within the prescribed time was the Mayor, aud oue of the Councillors, understood to be a supporter of his. It is scarcely possible to over-estimate the necessity existing for an improved water supply for town purposes. What little we get is little better than distilled clay ; aud even that would be lost unless looked after about cock-crow in Ihe morning. Were a fire to take place in Cromwell, yon would have a fine tale to tell, A municipally incorporated township reduced to ashes, without a claim for sixpence in the pound for insurance. If you can give space for the foregoing, it will have the effect of showing parties at a distance the nature of municipal government in Cromwell. To-day, at noon, the Morven and Nevis punts on the road to Queenstown, &c., were submitted by Mr W. J. Barry to public competition. Only one bid was given for each, viz., LSOO ; and at that price they were knocked down to the two occupant partners of the late concern, viz., the Morven punt to Mr William Edwards, and the Nevis to Mr Richard Owens. Brisker competition was expected. These are the punts respecting which Government has been repeatedly asked to take cognizance. Complaints respecting the charges exacted are numerous, aud it will be for Government to say at the next meeting of Council whether or not some arrangements cannot be made with the proprietors for lowering the current rates. It is a great drawback to the traffic both up and down. A reasonable subsidy would meet all the requirements of the case, and never was a subsidy more urgently required as a piece of public policy.