Cromwell Letter.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 653, 9 December 1908, Page 5

Cromwell Letter.

—,—-^—li—(Own Correspondent)

' After an unusually long spell of dry weather a cold rain, with snow on the high land, set in early on Monday morning,- hut the rain did nob continue long enough to benefit the crops, which, in a great many places throughout the Valley, are past redemption, and the result inust consequently b;> serious. ."

Cricket is suffering somewhat of an enforced existence in these parts this year, as Cromwell and Low burn ar<: the only clubs within easy range of one another, and th<-y have already played two matches, Lowburn proving victorious on both occasions. In the second game last Saturday, Lowburn scored 110 runs to Cromwell's 47. J Swann is still to the fore as the mainstay of this team, and besides compiling top score, also obtained the splendid average of seven wickets for 18 runs. The Hawea team is to play both the above clubs this week, and in return Oromweli and Lowburn play two matches each at Hawea and Pembroke during Christmas week. Concerning pur increased wa'er supply, the ratepayers are still in the dark as to when the supply will be available. Aftec; all the pipes were Uid the inspecor would not pass the work, for 'what reasons, of course, is another question. The result is that a gang of men are now engaged re-laying the whole Hue, and should everything go satisfactory, it will be some considerable time before tin new scheme can be made use of, and in any case, it will be too. late for this aeison.

Mining matters are assuming a rather interesting stagf—in dredging, reefing, and bydraulicins;. The Lug" gate Creek has always been considered a rich gold-bearing area, and has time and again.been pegged and re-pegged, but it remained for a party of local speculators t? give this place a trial. The result is that a hydraulic plant has been erected aud active operations commenced, and in the first paddock pat down ttia prospects are 1 to have exceeded expectations, which is saying a good deal. The capitol is all purely looal, and the success of the party is well received, and this must also have,the effect of causing others to exploit such areas.—At Bendigo, the Oome-in-Time mine is still in the course of development, and soma attention is also being given to the scheelite in that locality.-—Another party of reliable and trustworthy miners has discovered a shoot of stone reported to carry encouraging prospects, and it is intended to raise a small capital locally to give this a trial.—Then again, consequent on the steady 'and payable returns being obtained in the basin of the Olutha above the town, a number of leading dredging men have seriously considered the possibilities of the Olutha further up, with large dredges, and several areas have been applied for, with'every prospeco of one or more powerful machines being, erected.-—ln view of the above, one cannot but anticipate a slight reaction in all classes of mining daring, the coming year. There is little doubt but what sufficient capital will be found to prospect reefing country, on the reports of thoroughly reliable men, anl provided always the management is bed locally, as speculators do not approve of having their money handled by outside management, and as occurs in too many cases, to see it " fizzled " aw,ty, without anything like a fair trial.