ST. BATHANS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 22, 13 April 1870, Page 5

ST. BATHANS.

(From our own Correspondent.)

True to its character as a month of storms, March dawned upon us with violent gusts of wind and threatening sky, hut without damago to property, so far as I could learn, for experience has taught us how to prepare ourselves against snob contingencies: “flying roofs and shattered houses are things of the past.” The only precautions necessary at tho present day are to keep our doors and windows closed, and ourselves inside, until the fury of the terrifio gales that North Otago is subject to is spout. The storms have been succeeded by three weeks of mild summer weather, occasionally alternated by slight frosts after sundown, the month closing with a fall of snow, to warn us of approaching winter. There has been no exodus of population since I last wrote to you, but we received an addition to our numbers by the arrival of the Rev. J£. Koyoe, who intends to become a resident among us. I observe in the Greymouth papers that his departure from the West Coast was very much regretted by a large circle of friends of all creeds, to whom, by his amiable conduct, he was mueh endeared. The Rev. Mr Burchett, Wesleyan minister, of Naseby, lias also visited us lately, and, remaining over one Sunday, preached twice to attentive congregations. While speaking of clergymen, I must not forget to mentftm that the Revs. R. Nolan, of Hawthorn, Victoria, and Maloney, of Dunedin, have both remained a short time among us ; the latter delivering a lecture on “Ireland: past, present, and future.”

During the past week, our little corner has been unusually lively with entertainments given by professional and amateur performers. Monsieur Fleury esl vn violinists la plus hrillant qua fate jamais vu. Mrs Drummond performed the different parts most successfully under the trying circumstances of a small stage and a closely confined room ; and Mr Milburn charmed the audience by his truly brilliant execution on the piano. The Total Abstinence Society have inaugurat ed a series of readings, and, judging by their successful debut, 1 doubt not their continuance through the winter. Headings and entertainments of this kind are both profitable and amusing, and deserve great encouragement when we remember that the funds are devoted to the purchase of books to be lent out to the members of the Society. Strangers to the gold-fields of Australasia, I have no doubt, associate with the name,of miner a class of men who are able-bodied but untaught and illiterate, perpetually dirtily dressed in coarse clothes, whose only occupation beyond picking and shovelling is smoking and playing cards ; but the initiated are aware that we have amongst us an equal portion of intelligent, well-educated men, who are worthy, with their abilities, to take the highest position in the colony. Not only are there men of the different professions amongst the miners, but a sprinkling of noblemen’s sons, University men, Eton, llugby, and Harrow boys, who, without means to support the position they are entitled to by birthright, prefer the obscure life of a miner to the miserable existence of living on one’s friends. Kid-gloved men Guards astonished Great Britain by their pluck and endurance in the Crimea ; and there is many a one of the same genua fighting against hardship and poverty in Australia and Now Zealand. Perhaps some day they will emerge from their obscurity and assist not only to rule the colony, but t«> secure the rights (settlement) of those with whom they have been associated in less fortunate circumstances.

As winter is fast approaching, I hope this paragraph will catch the eye of Mr Simpson (your Hoad Engineer). The approaches to the Jlauuherika on the Hill’s Creek and St. Bathan’s road are in a shocking state. The south approach has been entirely washed away, making the descent into the river for all vehicles most perilous. The entrance to the township also requires altering, as the sideling will be very dangerous in wet weather ; and not very long ago, at the very spot I refer to, a dog-cart was capsized, throwing violently to the ground four or five people, all being more or loss injured by the accident. While speaking about roads, I am reminded that although St. Bathans has been a township and a prosperous, thriving place for six years past, scarcely a thought has been given to those who here. It is a disgrace to this community to see the scattered, unsheltered graves, and more especially disgraceful if it is true the Government have made a grant of £3O towards enclosing a cemetery. I do hope a piece of ground will be surveyed and enclosed before another winter sets in, and the graves covering covering the remains of our old mates will henceforth bo secure from the molestations of cattle, horses, pigs, and goats. A farmer in this neighborhood suggested the other day that the lion, member for this district should represent to the Provincial Council that wild ducks have been so well protected by the Government (the penalty for their destruction during the close season being so severe) that their numbers have increased until they have become a pest—ruthlessly destroying crops in their search for food. My friend advises that the open season shall he enlarged one month each year, or that sportsmen shall have one jubilee year, so as to reduce, if possible, the duck, tribe to reasonable numbers. X see an advertisement in the CromWki.l Arcus stating that the Post-office Savings Bank will give its customers live per cent, for their deposits under £IOO. lam under the impression that the highest given for any sum is only four per cent. Last Week a carter named George Tyree had his leg broken by the kick of a horse. The poor fellow had to be conveyed 45 miles in a cart with his broken leg. He is now in the Dunatan Hospital, and I bear he is doing well.