CROMWELL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 255, 19 December 1872, Page 8

CROMWELL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

A very serious fire occurred here last week. A cottage belonging to Mr. G-oodall, of Bendigo Gully, and in which resided Mr. J. Harding, was burnt to the f^round: The damage is estimated at £350, and was not covered by any insurance. An inquest was hold in the matter, and a verdict returned that the fire originated in an accidental manner not shown.

The commonage question is agair^ in agitation, anc| stre^uoqa effVts ft r ©

being made to have the matter un fait accompli. The present G-oldfields' Secretary, Mr. Bastings, when here, promised k> use his best endeavors to get a commonage for Cromwell, and we trust that he will not forgot us now that he has an opportunity of carrying out such a promise. The weather here for the last week or two; has been exceedingly dry, and rain is wanted badly. Our neighbours at the Wakatip, have been more forunate, for they have had several days heavy rain, and our rivers have risen considerably in consequence. We have had plenty of amusement here lately ; first, an amateur concert in aid of the school funds ; and then a company of professionals from Dunedin, who played to very fair houses for two nights. The Bank of New Zealand have opened a branch here within the last few days, and rumor has it, that the Bank of Otago intend to follow with one. If such is the case, we will have plenty of guarantee that our money will be well looked after.

Our zealous member in the Provincial Council, has at last made a sound, and it comes from your district. Mr. James Crombie our mining delegate, was entrusted with a requisition to Mr. Hickey, signed. , by over 130 electors, calling upon him to resign, the result of which appeared in your last issue.

Our race meeting which is to be held on the 26th and 27th inst., promises to be a great success. The Committee are sparing no pains to achieve such a result.

The Masonic Lodge intend to celebrate their installation of Officers, which takes place on the 31st inst., by an invitation ball and supper ; and no doubt the affair will be carried out in a very creditable manner. The following is the state of mining news from the Carrick Eanges :—: — Star of the East. — A crushing of 200 tons was finished at the Star-and-Oak battery early last week, and the clean-ing-up resulted in a yield of 101 ozs* 6 dwts. For some time past the company has been paying off liabilities, such as cost of machinery, &c. ; but we are glad to learn that, even should the average yield not exceed that above recorded, the directors will henceforth be enabled to pay a fair dividend after each crushing.

Nil Desperamlum. — On Saturday the manager (Mr. M'Ardell) brought in a cake of gold weighing 89 ozs., the product of 101 tons from the Nil claim.

John Bull. — This company finished a crushing of 100 tons at Logan's bat tery yesterday morning, the quantity of gold obtained being 6L ozs. Elizabeth. — A cleauing-up took place at the Elizabeth battery on Saturday, the result being 82 ozs. 2 dwts. of retorted gold.