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Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 835, 14 April 1885, Page 2

The only business in the LI. M. Court on Friday was the decision in the suit Clark v. M‘Kenzie Bros., which His Worship gave for plaintiff for the sum of £6 6s 2d, and costs £7 7s. We are requested by Mr Col lings to intimate to his friends that he will continue to conduct the White Hart Hotel, and hopes for continuance of the patronage so liberally bestowed hitherto. “ Rob Roy ” has again entered the field as a consultationist, and from the straightforward manner in which he lias hitherto conducted business in this line he will doubtless receive a fair share of patronage. The Public Works Department have 70 men engaged at work in connection with the defences of Dunedin. They expect to have one gun mounted at Forbury Head by Thursday next, and all the guns in position at Lawyer's and Taiaroa Heads in the course of four weeks. “ The Wanaka Correspondent of the Witness ” sends us a long letter dealing with the recent Hawea School Committee trouble, but as it is in reply to a letter in the Dunedin weekly, it properly should have been sent there. Besides, we do not see the wisdom of maintaining a controversy which leads to the stirring up of sectarian animosities. The annual picnic and concert in connection with the Kawarau Gorge School took place on Friday. There was a large gathering of children, parents, and friends, anil everyone enjoyed themselves greatly. The Committee of management were, as usual, unsparing in their efforts, and the provision made for the gratification and enjoyment of young and old was ample and complete. The Cromwell Brass Band gave their services on the occasion. The school-children of the town will enjoy a pic-nic and series of out-door games on Friday. The idea of giving the youngsters a treat was brought up at a late meeting of the Cromwell School Committee, and the arrangements are now in train. The townspeople have responded liberally in the matter of funds, and should favorable weather continue the rising generation are promised a handsome treat. The scene of festivity will be the cricket ground—a nice handy place which can be made suitable in every respect with a few hours’ labor. The attendance returns for the quarter ended 31st March, which have just been compiled by the Otago Education Board, show that there were 169 schools in operation during the quarter, employing 237 male and 222 female teachers, besides 14 teachers of sewing. The number of pupils on the school rolls at the beginning of the quarter was 19,928, and at the end of the quarter 22,093—consisting of 11,381 males and 10,712 females. There were therefore admitted during the quarter over 2000 children. During the quarter new schools were opened at Luggate, Maerewhenua, and Waitepeka township. A fire broke out on Saturday forenoon at Mr J. Stuart’s Victoria Hotel which but for the fortunate circumstances of Mr Stuart having a stand-pipe and hose on the ground would without doubt hive resulted in the destruction of the whole building. The fire appears to have been caused by an over-heated stove which ignited the wood-work, although it was protected by sheet iron. The walls and ceiling were soon in a blaze, but in a minute or two the hose was connectedand thefire extinguished. A few pounds will cover the loss. The hotel is insured in the Norwich Union office. In another part of this number will be found some interesting particulars of the champion sculling match between Beach and Hanlan. The financial results in Beach’s favor may be stated as follows : —He clears £SOO out of the stakes, and has been laid £6OO to nothing. Half the steamer fares (300 at £3 each) also go to him; and one gentleman has stated his intention of handing over his winnings to him, amounting to some hundreds of pounds. In addition to this, Beach (according to rumor, although he himself says not), had backed himself ; and, above all, he himself will be the recipient of a very handsome subscription. On April 2nd the subscription had reached £1,600. His many old friends and acquaintances will be pleased to learn that Mr Sydney H. Jenkinson has received the appointment of subeditor to the Melbourne Argus. For a number of years past Mr Jenkinson has filled a similar position on the Ot nj > Daily Times, and his promotion to the leading journal of Australasia is proof that he possesses high journalistic qualities, which will no doubt yet advance him to the front rank of his profession. Mr Jenkinson was for some years on the staff of this journal, where he may be said to have graduated, and it therefore gives us additional pleasure to see his merits and abilities leading to the honorable position he has secured. Mr Jenkinson leaves for Melbourne the end of this month. We are glad to state that Mr Donald, the working manager of the Star of the East Company, has at last succeeded in cutting the long-looked-for reef. Nearly twelve mouths ago a leader or thin reef was struck in the tunnel which was supposed to be the old reef, and a considerable amount of work was done by driving on it and prospecting it in all directions without obtaining payable stone. Mr Donald became at length convinced that this could not be the old reef that carried such good gold, and although the Company was in difficulties he persuaded the Directors to allow him to crosscut in search of it, ami after driving some 70 feet his perseverance has been rewarded. The reef where cut carries fair gold, but not as good as was left in the old workings. He intends to put up a rise to the old level and follow the shoot of gold. We sincerely hope that the Star may see something like its old prosperity again.

At the ordinary meeting of Borough Council on Friday evening the business dealt with was of little or no importance, consisting chiefly of consideration of correspondence and passing of accounts. It was ordered that the dayman be instructed to keep the Cromwell Bridge free from the collection of rubbish and water that hqd been allowed to acoumijlate for some time past. Some little discussion took place over a letter received from the clerk of Vincent County Council acknowledging receipt of copy of all correspondence that had passed between the Borough Council and Government relative to Cromwell Bridge, and the Council felt at a loss to understand what the intentions of the County Chairman were in the matter. The Mayor understood that Mr Fraser of opinion that when a bridge abutted on a municipality the borough wag jointly responsible for its preservation. Cr MacKellar thought that the borough had good proof of their hands being clear of the matter by the mere fact that the County Council had always undertaken the expenditure of any moneys voted for repairs, and had also dealt with the bridge reserves without consulting the Council. After other expressions of opinion, it was ultimately ordered that the Clerk write the County Chairman asking him what steps he was taking.

Blackburn, the cheas champion, has cabled that he will not be able to visit New Zealand, as he has decided to return Home by the Suez route.

The Government have received a reply from Colonel Hewitt definitely accepting the position of commander of the New' Zealand Volunteers. It is understood that he will leave for New Zealand almost immediately.

The champion totalisator dividend, so far as this Colony is concerned, was paid on Easter Monday at Auckland, where three individuals who put their £1 on Kalo in the Shorts Handicap, receieed £251 15s each for their investment.

The netting of trout during certain seasons in the waters of the W akatipu district is now legalised, and the local Acclimatisation Society notify that licenses can be obtained at a fee of £1 Is per net. A double advantage will arise from this concession—the younger fish will have a better chance to thrive, the larger ones as a table delicacy will be obtainable at a reasonable price—at least, it is to be hoped so. There has been some uncertainty as to whether a married woman under the Married Women’s Act passed last session can take up land under the deferred payment or special settlement system. The query, says an exchange, has been submitted to the SurveyorGeneral, who replies : “A married woman, unless judicially separated from her husband, cannot take up land on deferred payment.” A Sir Millichamp, suwmakor. of Dunedin, died very suddenly on Tuesday last while on a railway journey from the South to Dunedin. He got out at Waihola for the purpose of procuring some refreshment for a lady passenger, when he was observed to stagger and fall, as if in a fit. He was carried into the train and conveyed to Mosgiel, where the services of Dr M‘Caw was procured, who pronounced life extinct. An inquest was held on Wednesday, when the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

“Ada Mantua” has supplied us with names and addresses of principal winner; in her last consultation (Great Autumn Handicap). Ist, £360 nett, to a station hand Ida Valley station, Otago ; 2nd, £IBO nett, to a well-known farmer, Milton, Otago ; 3rd, £l2O, nett, to a well-known consultationist, Christchurch. Also names and addresses of gentlemen'who'were on the committee. \Ve notice the Press was represented, and the other gentlemen were tradespeople of good standing and repute. The programme for the Provincial Handicap (Queen’s Birthday Meeting) at Forbury, Dunedin, 6000 members is now open. See advertisement. The Kensington assault cases were disposed of on Thursday. Alexander Fleming, who was charged with ill-treating his son, was acquitted by the jury. As soon as he was discharged, his wfife, Carie Fleming, who had on the previous day pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against her, was placed in the dock for sentence. The counsel for the accused urged that her acts had been dictated by a mistaken sense of duty, and that she had no illwill against her step-children. His Honor, however, expressed the opinion that the prisoner had been actuated by a cruel mind, and sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment with hard labor.

Captain Davidson, J. P. and coroner for New Plymouth, committed suicide on Tuesday last. He had been at his business all the forenoon, and at 3 p.m. went home, having previously purchased a revolver from a shop in the town. About ten minutes after his arrival at home he went into a shrubbery adjoining his residence and shot himself through the brain, death being instantaneous. At the inquest Dr Leatham stated that the bullet had passed through the upper part of the mouth, penetrating the skull. Deceased, it is understood, was embarrassed in money matters, and had used a threat the day previous that he would shoot himself. He leaves a wife and several children. The jury returned a verdict that “Deceased shot himself whilst temporary insane. ” Deceased had served in the United States army.

Our Queenstown correspondent writes : After a storm comes a calm. The Volunteer Review and tourist visitors are things of the past, as it were. They leave some pleasing reminiscences behind them, however. None of the accounts of the Easter affair have fully noticed many traits worthy of record. The descriptions have been generally good, but the tout ensemble of private arrangements, etc., has been glossed over somewhat. Look at the handsome presents made to all connected with Mrs M'Bride’s hotel. Nothing could have been done in more high-class circles with better grace than the Cromwell and Naval (Bluff) companies did the “ handsome ” in making suitable gifts to their hostess and her assistants. So with the Hussars at Eichardt’s. Everything appropriate, and three hearty cheers for “ Charley ” the popular servitor of “ creature comforts.” The following singular story is told by the Pate i Mail:— At a late race meeting a laboring man, staggered up to the totalisator and, pulling out £2O, called the person who ran the machine to “come here and stick this on something for us.” The totalisator man, probably to give him a show of winning a lot of money, placed the whole sum on a rank outsider. The unexpected happened, and the inebriated speculator was shortly afterwards told that he was wanted to take his winnings. Hardly knowing what it all meant, he again staggered to the totalisator and stuffed bundle after bundle of notes into his pockets, till, when he had received considerably over £3OO, he was informed that was all. The police, who had watched the affair all the time, at once arrested the man on the charge of being drunk and disorderly. Next morning, when he had recovered from the effects of his intemperance, he was brought up at the Magistrate’s Court and fined ss, and had all his money restored to him. The police said it was the first time they had been thanked by a man for running him in. Two county election petitions, which had been before the Magistrate’s Court at Reefton since January lust, were brought to a conclusion on Saturday. The first was a petition against the election of Patrick Brennan for Reefton riding. 66 out of 71 votes which were alleged to have been recorded improperly for him were struck off, and his election declared to be void, and the candidates declared to be properly elected were Menteath and Campbell. Costs were given against Brennan to the amount £163 12s. In the second petition against Menteith, 21 votes were challenged, but only 13 were declared improperly recorded, and as Menteath’s majority stood at 19, striking off did not affect his election, but made Campbell and Brennan ties. The magistrate gave his casting vote for the sitting member. Brennan consequently no longer holds a seat in the Council. Nearly 300 witnesses were examined, and the costs amounted to nearly £IOOO, Probably an appeal will be made in the Supreme Court. The following is General Sir Gerald Graham’s speech delivered to the Australian contingent on their arrival at the camp, Suakiu : “ In the name of the forces under my command, I give you a hearty welcome as comrades and brothers in arms, who have come to share the perils and toils, and I hope the glories, of this expedition. lam proud to bear with you the name of Englishman. We belong to a country on which the sun of hope and freedom ever shines. The heart of every Englishman beats responsive to the magnanimous spirit of the colonies—a spirit which knits us together as members of one Empire, pledged hey honor to maintain, We honor the feeling which has led you to leave your pleasant homes, your wives, your children, and your friends to share the perils of the campaigns of a dreary war in the desert against its savages, and we know you will cheerfully submit to privations. All are comrades here. You know that severe discipline is necessary for the safety of an army in the field, and I feel assured that you will submit, remembering that the eyes of your country—of the English - speaking races throughout the whole civilised world —are upon you. I am certain that you will uphold the honor of the Empire. I feel proud to command such a force, and sure that you will do the greatest credit to the Colony that sent you and the race to which you belong.” The estimated population of Melbourne and suburbs, within a radius of ten miles of the General -Post Office, is 322,690, being an increase of over 18,000 since 1883,