CROMWELL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 24 March 1870, Page 6

CROMWELL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Since I had last the privilege of a a comer in your columns, Cromwell has had another Municipal Council adventure, and thereon hang 3 a tale. Mr. W» H. Whetter, Avhose sober, domesticated proclivities were the theme of one of your correspondent's narratives a few weeks ago, has had his mayoralty existence snuffed out by decree of the Supreme Court, and Sir. G. W. Goodger now reigns in his stead. At the risk of giving Mr. Whetter a prominence he could scarcely have expected to command, I am bound to say a word respecting his subsequent travels and adventures in a municipally incorporated land, where all seems to be dark and mysterious. Along with Mr. Whetter two of his acting Couiv eillors went out of office ; and on a fresh election being called, he {Mr. Whetter) was, through the apathy of the electors, allowed to Avalk into one of their shoes, or, to adopt his own graphic language, to play second fiddle at the Council board. Great were his pretentions, and specific his promises on that memorable occasion. Bygones were to be bygones, and a new era of municipal prosperity was to be observed. Such was Mr. Whetter on the day of hi 3 election ; but on the occasion of the first meeting of the Council he was a very different creature. He was head- ' Big an opposition movement having for its object the adoption of the acts of the assumed Council, of which he was the head. This was rather too much for the principles of equity and good government, considering that one of these acts involved a motion that the expenses of Mr. Whetter's defence of the suit Regina v. Whetter should b& defrayed out of the corporation funds. Mr. Whetter assumes an office to which the laAv declares he i 3 not entitled, and then the local rates and Government subsidy are to be spent in defraying his expenses. That beats Lawrence hollow, and enables you to perceive that in the municipal game we are able any day to acore against you. The next move on the incorporated board was the water supply for town purposes. The Mayor, Mi\ Goodger, propounded a scheme, and invited a special meeting to discuss it. That meeting lapsed for want of a quorum, which means something that you can - guess at. Finding himself baulked, the Mayor called the ratepayers to consider the question ; and, amongst others, Mr. Whetter attended, and took exception to the _ proceedings, on the plea that the subject wa3 one for the consideration of the Council. The meeting good naturedly adjourned the consideration of the matter, to allow the Council to have its first say in the matter. The Council meeting should have taken place last night, but again it lapsed, none of the opposition gentlemen having put in an appearance within the prescribed time. This, then, is the peg upon which the municipal tale of Cromwell hangs ; who can deny that it, points a moral \

So far as quartz reefing matters_are concerned, I have got nothing very brilliant to say. The Aurora Company' are fearfully short of water, and for some days past only four instead of five stamps have been at Avork. This involves serious consequences, and suggests the urgent question, When will Government be prepared to give effect to its long-talked-of water scheme. In Dunedin specimens from the various reefs Avere freely exhibited, but little disposition was manifested to invest. The local paper states that a judicious combination might be made between the holders of claims and the holders of capital, by the former allocating certain interests in consideration of the latter erecting machinery.

The Morven and Nevis punts were disposed of to-day at £500 each. Mr. Edwards, the occupant partner of the late concern, purchased the one, and Mr. Richard owns the other. These punts are said to be a source of annoyance to the traffic from- the excessive charges exacted. Could your Municipal Council not be induced to co-operate with that of Clyde and Cromwell in getting Government to do something in the matter ] A small sum in name of subsidy placed upon the estimates at the ensuing- session of the Provincial Council Avould meet the reqvirements of the case. The Beaumont and Teviot punts might be included in the arrangements, so as to give Tuapeka a direct interest in the matter. I observe that your local brewery company have appointed an agent in Cromwell, Mr. W. J. Barry. They could not have got a better man ; if business is to be done he Avill do it.