THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3244, 14 July 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Cromwell. -The Cromwell Reef Company sent down on Friday last 400 ozs of gold, the result of the first crushing of stone at their battery since the repairs W'-re completed. A very large proportion of the quartz crushed was known to be of poor quality, but about sixty tons of stuff taken from the lowest level (290 ft.) were estimated to yield between four and five ounces to the ton. The manager is said to have obtained a prospect of i-J dwts. to the dish from the same stone ; and we are informed that about 500 tons of at least equal richness are in sight at the present time. The handsome return obtained from this crushing goes far to showtliat the auriferous character of the mine improves as greater depths are reached,—The unfortunate man John Thomas, who was sent to the Hospital last Tuesday, in consequence of injuries received through falling down the rocks below Kawarau Bridge on the previous night, has since died. He was supposed to have fallen from the bridge, but it appears that supposition was incorrect. The man had been imbibing rather freely at the bridge opening celebration, and was unab’e to give any satisfactory explanation as to how’ he reached the edge of the river ; but it is believed that he must have scrambled down the bank until about twelve or fourteen feet from the water, and then fallen to the spot where he was found by Mr Grant and the other men who rescued him. Dr Lake attended the sufferer, and found he had sustained severe concussion of the brain, but not to such an extent as to render his recovery improbable. On the f blowing day (Tuesday), the man was much better, and before leaving Mr M'Cormiclc's hotel on his way to the Danstan, he was able t> eat a hearty meal and smoke a pipe of tobacco. The injuries rec ived, however, proved fatal, and ho expired a day or two after arrival at the Hospital. Thomas, who was about forty years of age, was an entire stranger in this district, having lately come from Hokitika by way of Martin’s Bay.— Argus . arrow. —lntelligence having been forwarded to the F xecutive of the Central Miners’ Association to the effect that the Government contemplated sanctioning the sale of the block of auriferous land at Maerewhenua, a telegram was sent protesting on behalf of the Otago Miners’ Association against the sale. No doubt it is in many cases desirable in the interests of settlement that portions of the Goldfields should be sold, but it ought not to be done until a liberal law for mining on private property is introduced, not only in the interests of the miners, but also that the Province may not have possibly valuable mineral resources locked up. Further particulars of the proposed sale will he anxiously looked for. Since the above remarks were penned, the fallowing telegram has been received from the Superintendent in reply to the protest of the Miners’ Association :—“lt does not appear that any auriferous ground has been sold at Maerewhenua In any case the exexcutive Government are powerless in the matter, as the Colonial Legislature, much against my will, has in its wisdom vested the administration of the Waste Lands in an irresponsible Board, over which the Government can exercise no control. In respect of the sale in question it will be seen that both the Government and the Board have taken every precaution to exc'ude auriferous ground, and that the completion of purchase could and wopld ‘have been comr relied by tfie fsupreipe Court, at no end qf legal costs against the Province”— In regard to log d matters much interest is felt as to the action which will be taken in reference to bridging the Kawarau, and I hope that the petition for a bridge at Morven Ferry ,will be successful, as it should be a principle that, however many works may be required, that which confers the greatest advantage upon the community should be first undertaken, and this bridge is the most important requirement wo have.— This season has been an unfavorable one for mining here, as the flood which occurred in the beginning of winter did an immense amount of damage, while the frost which has succeeded it has prevented the miners from repairing their works properly. This is more especially the case with head races. —The Piesbyterian Church was opened yesterday. The Kev. A. H. Stobo gave two sermons and the Kev. Donald Ross one. The tea-meeting on Saturday was a very great success, and realised about L6O. Addresses were given by the Revs. A. H. Stobo and Donald Ross, Mr Warden Stratford, and Mr F. Evans. Mrs H. Arndt gave several songs and pianoforte selections, besides contributing aMWdsomely furnished tea-table. ’ Mrt Watsop and Mr J.'F: Healey also qoqtrihu’ted to tfie success of i]x& evening by songs.—The election of a Roman Catholic Church is about to be commenced, as tenders arc invited for procuring the stone for the building.