BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 July 1873, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN.

(from our own correspondent.) July 5, 1873. The past week seems to have been given up by a great many in this neighbourhood to enjoyment, quoit matches and horse racing having been the order of the day. The halfholiday on Monday, through the opening of the Bridge, no doubt was at the beginning of this state of things. Among the quoit matches was one between Messrs A. Rintoul and J. Young, for £lO, which took place at Mr Stuart's Ferry Hotel. The game resulted in the achievement of an easy victory by Mr Rintoul, whose play was very good throughout. On Saturday, a race took place between Mr Cockburn's c g Croton, and a bay colt belonging to Mr Dove. The race drew a good many people together. I do not know the amount actually run for, but believe it was about £3 a side ; but as there was a considerable sum of money hazarded in the shape of bets on the event, a deal of interest was excited. The distance was half a mile ; a good start was effected, and the chestnut came in an easy winner.

The meeting of subscribers to the Public Library, (to take into consideration a resolution passed at a public meeting held in the Schoolroom lately, to the effect that it was desirable that the books should be removed to the schoolhouse,) which had been called for Thursday evening, lapsed through there being only about half a dozen persons present. I am not aware what will be done m the matter now. Those who are already subscribers seem to take little interest in the library, while a large number who are willing to join decline to do so until the books are shifted somewhat nearer the centre of population. Perhaps the best course to be taken would be to call another meeting of subscribers, to which such as are dissatisfied should hunt up those who have the right to act in the matter, and get them to promise to attend.

The party who are working the deep lead have sunk another shaft, and, judging by appearances, have struck payable gold, as they have made a long tail-race, and erected a pulley, so as to raise the dirt with a horse. The general impression seems to be that this ground cannot help paying if worked in a systematic manner. Such ground as has previously been worked on the lead has yielded from three to five dwts. the load.

Mr J. Pryde and two mates have been prospecting the ten-ace between Smith's and Pipeclay during the last fortnight. They havesunk two holes, one seventy feet and the other fifty. I regret to say theyhave not come across gold that will pay for raising or tunnelling, although it was found in the dirt from top to bottom in quantity sufficient to pay well for ground sluicing, should water ever be bro'iglit in with which to work it. I hear of one good washing-up in the district, a party of three having got between 90 and 100 ounces for two months' work.

BANNOCKBURN AND CARRICK RANGE MINERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the above Association was held in the Schoolroom on Wednesday, 2nd July. The members present were : Messrs Crombie (in the chair), Smiddy, Koch, Aitchison, Chilton, and Fen wick (secretary). Owing to the small attendance of Committee, it was agreed to leave the discussion of the Mining Bill over until another evening. The Secretary was instructed to have the petition for commonage forwarded to Mr MacKellar, M.P.C., as soon as possible. It was stated that great dissatisfaction existed in the district amongst persons who had made application to have their names placed on the Electoral Roll, and whose applications in many instances had been fruitless. It was agreed to write to the Executive of the Association at the Arrow, enquiring if the same difficulties existed in other parts of the Province, and enclosing a copy of the following resolution:—

Proposed by Mr Koch, seconded by Mr Aitchison : " That the attention of the Executive of the Otago Miners' Association be called to the great carelessness shown in regard to applications to be placed on the Electoral Roll, a large number of persons here having this year made application to be placed thereon, of which number not much more than half have been snccessful. Also, that this Association considers great difficulties are thrown in the way of applicants ; as, for instance, the nearest place from Bannockburn, Carrick Range, Bendigo, &c, that the Revising Officer attends is Clyde, a distance on an average of twenty miles, thus leaving an important place like Cromwell entirely or: one side."

July 14, 1873. On Monday evening last, the 7th inst., tie Rev. Mr Jones, of Clyde, preached in be Schoolhouse to a good congregation. Tin is the first Church of England service that has been held in the district, I believe. itter service was over, Mr Jones explained that he wished to ascertain whether sufficient support could be depended upon in conjnrction with Cromwell and other portions of tl« district, to warrant the appointment of a dergynian. Mr Jones stated that the Bish>p had promised L.50, and it was thought that a sum equal to that would be required from the Bannockburn. It was thought br several that there would not be much difficulty in raising that sum. Ultimately, a committee of seven was appointed to take the necessary steps in the matter, and about L.l!] was promised in the room. If a clergyman be obtained, he will hold service at Bannockburn twice a month, and as Mr Drake does the same, there will thus be a service every Sun-

day ; and there is no doubt the attendance will improve, as, the way things are at present, many persons who would go to church either never know or else forget the Sunday upon which it is held. The election of officers in the Court Royal Oak of Kawarau, A.0.F., took place on Saturday evening, the 12th, when the following brethren were elected and installed for the ensuing six months : —E. Chilton, C.R. ; J. P. Smiddy, S.C.R.; John Richards, C.T.; Charles Koch, C.S.; James Thomson, S.W. ; F. Chilton, J.W.; James Hancock, 5.8.; G. Chilton, J.B. I may say that the Court has never been in such a good position either in regard to the number of members or the amount of funds in hand, both of which are steadily on the increase.