THE GOLDFIELDS IN THEIR RELIGIOUS ASPECTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 118, 12 May 1870, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS IN THEIR RELIGIOUS ASPECTS.

(From the "Evangelist," May 1.) In presenting to our readers some account of the Cromwell district, based on observation and enquiry made during a visit paid to it last month, we may notice some things which attracted our attention in the other districts through which we passed. Leaving Tuapeka, then, the first township which we reach is the Beaumont, situate on the Clutha, twelve miles from Lawrence. This, like most of the townships on that river, occupies both sides ; some of the buildings have recently been much improved, and others have been added ; and from the opening up for settlement of the surrounding country, which is now in course of survey, we may expect ere long to sac there' a considerable population. Already the land on the west bank, on the plain stretching down the side of the river for some distance along the course of the main road is fenced and cultivated. A township section has been purchased on that side as a site for a Presbyterian church, which will shortly be erected. This will be supplied occasionally by the Rev. Mr. Telford of the Teviot, and will be regularly occupied by the Sabbathschool which is at present conductedin a cottage by Mr. Stevenson, a I neighbouring settler. Passing various

wayside houses, we come to the Island Block, as it is called (nine miles from i the Beaumont), the sale of which recontly called forth so much public discussion. We certainly felt regret that a spot so rich and choice — so convenient, and in every way so desirable I for agricultural settlement, should have ' been allowed, by gross mismanagement or something worse, to fall into the ' grasping hands of the millionaire who j holds the adjoining run. Instead of j cheerful cottages and smiling fields spread over that luxuriant plain, as would undoubtedly have been seen in a very short time had the usual course been followed of agricultural leasing, we observed that a large herd of cattle had been recently placed there by the proprietor, and were likely, so long as , the present ownership lasts, to be almost the only inhabitants. The Horse Shoe Bend village or township, which lies on the opposite side of the river about this point, has, we learned, been declining, partly through the working out of the gold, aud partly from the disappointment of the people regarding settlement on the adjoining land. Nine miles further up the river we reach the township of Benger Burn, or Moa Flat. Here we were gratified with the sight of a government school and a master's residence, which have been erected during last year. Service is conducted in the school by Mr. Telford every Sabbath forenoon, and is attended by the dwellers on the stations on the opposite side of the river, as well as by the residents close at hand. As we enter the Teviot township, or Roxburgh, as it is more recently called, ten miles further on, we notice a tasteful chapel erected by the Roman Catholics. A large stone school, forty feet in length, and of proportionate breadth, has also been erected on the west bank of the river, instead of the wooden building formerly used for that purpose on the other side. On Sabbaths this is occupied for divine service in the afternoon by Mr. Telford, and in the evening usually by some of the Wesleyan local preachers, in the absence of a regular minister. Here we had the privilege of attending a missionary meeting, which amp'y compensated us for the trouble of our day's journey. The chair was occupied by Mr. Telford, and the large and interested assembly, who heartily agreed to the formation of an association to aid in supporting the mission schemes of our Church, gave good earnest of spiritual life and prosperity in some measure corresponding to the appearances of material progress which are everywhere apparent. As the main road has now been opened on this side of the river to Alexandra, an impetus has been given to permanent improvement, which is manifest both in this part of the township and on the flat ground stretching above it. This plain is about five miles in length, and is entirely occupied and cultivated by numerous small farmers. It is named Coal Creek Flat, from the coal found at the upper end of it, which we remark in passing is of a good quality and easily wrought. A number of houses are situate close to each other ; in the upper end of the flat a Wesleyan chapel has been built. Service is regularly held in it by the local preachers. Mr. Telford also preaches in it on alternate Sabbath evenings. We may remark that the land below the township, on the same side of the river, has been declared open for lease, and has, we believe, been all applied for. From the dilatoriness, however, of those who are in charge, the block has not yet been surveyed into sections, and applications for them lodged fifteen months ago still remain unanswered. From this cause the Presbyterian Church Committee have hitherto been unable to obtain a site for manse and glebe. They have purchased a site in the township for a church, but feel the necessity of first supplying a residence for their minister. We earnestly trust that the obstacles at present in the way may be soon removed. At Coal Creek, the road leaves the river for a little distance, and winds by gentle slopes along the foot of the ranges known as Mount Benger and the Old Man Range. An accommodation house romantically situated half way between Teviot and Alexandra, kept by an enterprising and hospitable landlord, affords welcome rest and refreshment to the traveller. A few miles further on we reach the Long Valley or plain called by the characteristic name .of Spear Grass Flat, which is already occupied and mostly cultivated by a number of settlers. We then pass some rocky hills presenting some very picturesque forms ; over-hanging ledges of rocks scooped out by the weather beneath, afford a grateful shelter, which we noticed was turned to account by some of the roadmen encamped there, who pitched their tents beneath them. In other cases with a very small amount of rough building they were made available for houses, stables, and piggeries. Some digging is pursued at a place between this and Alexandra, called Butcher's G-ully, where there are a few houses and stores. A substantial punt formed with two large iron boats takes us across the Clutha to Alexandra, 26 miles from the Teviot. This township presents manifest signs of progress in the substantial buildings which have been lately added. It has a town-hall and public library, and enjoys regular public religious services forenoon and evening, every

second Sabbath, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Ross. These are held at present in the school, but a beginning has been made in raising a fund for the erection of a church, and an admirable site for the purpose has been purchased by the managing committee. The manse is situated on the plain called the Dunstan Mat, between the townships of Alexandra and Clyde. Mr. Ross preaches at Clyde every second Sabbath in the afternoon. The present arrangement of Sabbath services has been adopted to enable Mr. Ross to preach at Blacks (18 miles from Alexandra), and at another place nine miles further on. This he does every second Sabbath, and sometimes makes the journey there and back on the same day. We had the pleasure of taking part along with Messrs. Telford and Ross in a meeting at Alexandra for the formation of a missionary association. Such a movement we regard as a most hopeful indication of spiritual life. The service in Clyde is held in the Episcopalian Chapel, a neat iron building. "We observed that a very handsome stone building of classic architecture, presenting a portico with four pillars, has lately been built as a Town hall. Beside it is a building occupied by the town library. To a stranger the large number of fine stores and hotels which fill up both sides of the long and handsome main street of the town seems out of proportion to the population in the immediate neighbourhood. Its support, we presume, must be drawn from traffic with places at some distance, for which it forms a convenient centre. The road from Clyde to Cromwell winds through a narrow gorge along the bank of the Clutha. The distance between the two places is about 14 miles. The mountains on both sides of the river approach close to the banks, and the river bed is deep and rocky. Cromwell is one of the most romantically situated of any of the goldfields townships. It occupies the apex of the triangle enclosed by the Clutha and Kawarau rivers. The junction of the two takes place at the township. Although so much water flows past it on both sides, it is so elevated above the level of the water that it is as dry as if it were built on a mountain — indeed, we might correctly enough describe it so, for it is probably from 150 to 200 feet above the ordinary level of the water. As we approach the town, we cross a long and elegant bridge stretched over the Clutha, immediately above its junction with the Kawarau. It seems to be at least 100 feet above the river, and as we look down on it roaring and tumbling in its rocky bed, we may readily experience such a giddy sensation as will make us gladly turn away. The Kawarau flows out o' Lake Wakatip 40 miles above this junction, and the Clutha out of Lake Wanaka, 38 miles distant. The aspect of the township is cleanly and regular, presenting a main street parallel to the Kawarau, which has stores and houses on both sides. The ground behind this presents a kind of terrace. On this is situate' the police camp and other buildings. A Government school has been established for several years, and appropriate and substantial buildings arc provided, as in other townships, for the school and the master's residence. We may also mention that two weekly newspapers are printed and published here. [One since dead.] It is now nearly eight years since the • Dunstan rush, as it is called, brought excited multitudes to this district in search of gold. Since then the beaches of both rivers have been regularly worked during the winter season, when they are at their lowest point. The discovery of gold diffused throughout the whole district on both sides of both rivers has afforded steady employment to a scattered population, the number of which it is not easy to ascertain. From reckoning up the estimated numbers in the various centres, we believe the total population of the district, exclusive of Chinese, might be set down at 500. The population of the township of Cromwell may be stated at 200. Four miles above Cromwell, on the Kawarau River, is a small township, containing a few stores and houses, and a public hall, which is used, among other purposes, for public worship every second or third Sabbath. The first effort to supply religious services in this district was made by the Rev. Mr. Ross of Alexandra, who began a monthly service in Cromwell on the 3rd November, 1867, and continued it for several months. Before this time, one or two clergymen — in particular the Rev. Mr. Connor, then of Oamaru — had paid casual visits to it. During 1868 Mr. Ross induced the people to seek supply for themselves, and the writer had. the opportunity of preaching at Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge on two occasions in April and May of that year, and of meeting with the committee in reference to permanent supply. A petition was sent to the Clutha Presbytery about June, desiring a minister, and the Rev. Mr. Drake was shortly afterwards sent, and has since laboured with unwearied zeal throughout the whole of this most extensive district. He preache3 every Sabbath evening in the school at Cromwell, and in the afternoon, on alternate Sabbaths, at the Kawarau Gorge, at Mr. Loughnan's station, about ten miles above Cromwell, on the west side of the Clutha, and at Logantown, about fourteen miles from Cromwell,

on the east side of the same rfcear^ About once in six weeks he spends a Sabbath in the Nevis district, which lies on the opposite side of the Kawarau, about thirty miles south from Cromwell. The road to it leads over high and rugged mountains, intersected by numerous gullies, in which scattered parties of diggers are at work, the principal number being at Bannockburn, a few miles from Cremwell. He also visits periodically, about once a month, on week days, the country stretching along both sides of the Clutha from Cromwell to Lake Wanaka. The road up this valley is smooth and level. It skirts the base of Mount Pisa, a lofty range upwards of 6000 feet in height. There are but few houses on the way. We pass through various rivers, which are usually low, but are subject to sudden flood — the Lawburn, three miles from Cromwell ; the Luggate, twenty-eight; and the Cardrona, thirty-five. As we approach Wanaka, the country presents a great breadth of level ground. At each side of the plain it is elevated into terraces, sometimes one rising above another. Further back are rocky hills of moderate height, and the landscape is closed by Alpine mountains in the distant background. In some places we see terrace-like ranges rising abruptly from the centre of the plain, like the pyramids of Egypt, and sometimes little conical, rocky hills of two or three hundred feet in height, similarly isolated. The Wanaka station, occupied by Mr. Campbell, is most beautifully situated on the banks of the Clutha, two or three miles from the Wanaka Lake, and opposite the point where the Hawea River (that flows out of the lake of the same name) joins the Clutha. It occupies a large area, and presents a goodly display of buildings, such as would form a tolerable township, indeed greatly larger than the surveyed township close beside it called Albert-town, which ij chiefly represented by an hotel, and a school, which has been erected by Mr. Campbell at his own expense. About twenty miles from this, over the ranges, is the Morven Hills Station, occupied by Mr. M'Lean. This is also visited by Mr. Drake about once a month, during the week. By the direct road it is forty miles from Cromwell, and the Woolshed is about eight miles further. In journeying to it from Cromwell, the Wanaka road is left at the distance of ten miles from Cromwell, and the Clutha is crossed near this by a punt at a place called Rocky Point. The road then leads northward, and passes near Bendigo Gully and Logantown, where the recently-discovered quartz reefs are situate. Only two of these are at present worked, and about sixty men are engaged on them. The Ardgowan Station is close to the road, about eighteen miles from Cromwell. The road then pursues its devious and weary course to the Morven Hills Station, crossing the River Lindis about sixteen times. The number of men on each of these stations may range, in the busy season, from twenty to sixty ; but at other times there are few beyond the necessary number of shepherds, who are placed at distant intervals over the runs. The Cardrona diggings are scattered for miles along the banks of the river of that name. The township is eighteen miles from the junction of the Cardrona river with the Clutha. The number of Europeans is very small — estimated at about thirty ; but there is a large and increasing multitude of Chinese at work — at the present time, probably about 400. We may sum up what we have said of the whole district by mentioning that from the woolshed of Morven Hills Station, on the north, to the Upper Nevis, in the south, is a distance of eighty miles ; and from Logantown, on the east, to Cardrona, on the west, is about forty miles. It is evident that the ministerial supply of such a stretch of country is a task of no small difficulty, requiring faith and patience as well as that of endurance of hardness which is demanded of the good soldier of Jesus Christ. The district has hitherto shown, by its substantial liberality, its appreciation of the earnest efforts which have been made to supply its spiritual wants ; and we earnestly trust that seed which is so laboriously scattered will bring forth abundant fruit to the glory of God and the good of bouls.

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