Cromwell Letter.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 697, 13 October 1909, Page 5

Cromwell Letter.

Agitation isjripw reaching a hig'i p.nut of interest in regard to the two different proposals fori bridging the Olntiia river. Soihe time ago the sum of £-3J wa<s collected t) erect a footbridge at De.idinati's Point, and it. was late • mooted that a traffic at this spot woul I be more convenient. Lowbiiru residents are up in arms at tliis proposal, and are diverting their advocacy to replace the present punt by a traffic bridge at Ljwburn ferry*%. Et ..is argued that the erection of a traffic bridge at •Deadman's Point would divert the tra.le from and as-the punt has always served to cquuect both sides of the river residents of Ljwburn are adverse to the traffic bridge at the former point. Sympathy is with Lowburn, for it cauuot be denied butjiiat they have, a prior claim to the county council's consideration. The matter will no doubt be ventilated at next couficil meeting.

For sonic time past local advocacy has beeu directed to a; quicker mail service, but the receiit announcement of altera: tious.hi the train time table have dashed all hopes to tlie grouud. Protests have beeu made to the member for the district, whilst the Minister in charge of the tourist department has been.approached with a desire to improve rather thau impede our mail services. ludiguatiou is rife over the proposed changes, which will not be allowed to come to pass without a dignified protest from this end.

The Commissioner of Crown Lauds paid a visit to this district last week to ascertain the progress being made witli surveying the different ruus for subdivision into closer .settlement blocks. The runs to be cut up include Kawarau and Morveu Hills, and it is expected that the ballot for these sections will be held about the middle of February at the earliest. Keen interest is being manifested iu these ballots, and it is probable that two different dates will be set apart for balloting for the respective runs, This will give intending settlers a better chance of securing a section should they fail iu their first attempt, aud the proposal has much to coinmeul itself. The survey parties are proceeding with all possible haste so that their work will be completed iu ample time to prepare the plans aud submit them to the.public for perusal. The laud hunger is very acute iu this district, and numbers of genuine settlers all over the Cluthi Valley are anxiously awaiting the coining of the dawn iu respect to ballot day.