Cromwell Argus, and northern gold el elds gazette Cromwell, Monday, Jan. 15, 1912

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2280, 15 January 1912, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, and northern gold el elds gazette Cromwell, Monday, Jan. 15, 1912

A considerable amount of dissatisfaction is expressed in COUNTY that portion of the iVLATTEIIvS. Uawea riding about Tairas, at being included in the Uawea riding, especially so as the Hindis Hiding contains such a few genuine ratepayers and llawea quite the reverse, so it is to he hoped something will be done before next election in the way of adjusting this, as it would be a step in the right direction, and we will pass it on to the new member, Mr JA McCarthy, for his consideration. Another most pressing matter which should be taken up by the county council, is to move in the direction of obtaining better facilities of communication for some of the outback portions of the county, such as Tarras and Morven Hills. Quite recently a number of instances have been brought under our notice showing the serious drawbacks those living within a radius of three miles either way from Tarras homestead have to contend with, and a petition is likely to be drawn up asking the member for Uawea to bring this must necessary and urgent convenience before the council for their support and assistance. The residents of this portion of the county have been agitating for some time past to secure a mail and telephone service to the Upper Lindis, if not to Morven Hills homestead, and we consider it is most unfair and unjust if they do not receive such a necessity, for they are sullicieutly handicapped at present by having to put up with many inconveniences, besides which it would be of great advantage to the county authorities to know the condition of the river when in Hood, and also for the Tourist Department, as on many occasions tourists have been in serious trouble when travelling by motor car through being stuck up by a high river. We feel certain if the council places the position before the Government they must grant the request as the large number of settlers and the travelling public are greatly hampered under the present almost savage conditions

Pembroke is again moving in the direction of railway communication. A ‘meeting is called for Saturday next to arrange for a reception to the party of Dunedin visitors, the objective being the Otago Central railway.

Though somewhat late this season on account of the cool summer experienced, the early varieties of peaches in the Teviot district are now ripening fast, and during the past week several consignments have gone forward. According to the ‘Mail’ the fruit crop this year promises to be an abundant one, and given line weather, picking will soon be general. Not since the time previous to the South African war, when volunteer corps and rifle clubs sprung into existence in all corners of the Dominion, has rille shooting been in such a dormant state as at the present time. During the currency of that struggle and for some years following, the corps flourished and many line shots were developed from the ranks. The enthusiasm gradually languished until the voluntary system had to be superseded by compulsory training, and the conditions under the latter system brought a wholesale retirement of members over the age limit, and included in these was the majority of leading shots and enthusiasts, and recent developments show that there arc few between the ages for service in the Territorials, and a working strength was mustered by the inclusion of the senior cadets, so that little development in the way of shooting can be expected for some considerable time. It is evident, therefore, that the popular Challenge Shield competition held annually on March 17th, is likely to be passed over this year, as there no reports of any shooting throughout the district, even from the Bannockburn Eille Club, which has annually lired regular competitions. On the advent of compulsory training a movement was initiated in the district to form a Defence Eifle Club, the acceptance of which was assured by the authorities, but although suflicient members were forthcoming the enthusiasm in the matter was not so unanimous as to encourage the promoters in their object. Wc would, however, like to see the proposal further considered, but all interested would need to assipup aif active attitude, and not allow the burden of the work f,o devolve' ou to the shoulders of a few,

Favored with a run ot‘ line weather, shearing was finished at Kawarau last Friday, and the employees proceeded to Northburn where work commenced, on Saturday.

Opinions are very divided in Lake County over the decision of the council to open the roads to the motor traffic, and strenuous efforts arc being made to revert to the old order, and to this end large meetings of protest are being organised. Another well-known and popular commercial, Mr J. Dunlop, of Loss and Glendining, is forsaking the road having been appointed manager of the firm’s branch in Invercargill. Mr Dunlop’s promotion will be very acceptable news to his many friends in Central Otago. Ladies willing to assist at a social to the party of Dunedin citizens and others visiting Cromwell on February sth are requested to meet at the Council Chambers on Friday next at 3 p.m. The matron of the Cromwell hospital wishes to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following donations : Mrs Tizard, linen; Mrs Betts, linen and flowers; Mrs Mackenzie, polk; Mrs Morris, linen ; Miss Morris, books; Mrs Loss, magazines; Lev. Mitchell, flowers ; Mrs Towan, cherries ; Mr Wilson (Pembroke) fish; Mr L. K. Smith, donation to subscription list. We are informed by persons whose daily occupation necessitates them travelling over a wide area of mountain country, that it is many years- since feed was so abundant as at present and under similar conditions the carrying capacity of the country would be greatly increased. Labbils are also thriving in an alarming manner under the favorable conditions and in many localities arc at present unusually numerous. At the request of several clients in the Morvcn Hills, Tarras, and surrounding districts, Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., and Dalgety and Co., will hold a special sale of surplus sheep at Tarras on March loth. A number of entries have already been received, and it is expected that buyers will attend from all parts of Otago and Canterbury. Other entries and full particulars are invited to enable details to be announced in due course. An interesting days sport will be provided on Friday next at Nevis, when the Nevis Jockey Club hold the annual race-meeting. The events are confined to horses that have never won a stake over CIO in value, and in the trots especially there are indications of big fields.' The Nevis Athletic Clubs sports will aLo be held on the same day in conjunction with the races, and a varied programme is also submitted, the principal events being the Nevis Handicap, 135 yards, prizes LI and LI. Given fine weather, the meeting promises to be the most successful yet held. Several passengers by the Otago Central train from Dunedin on Saturday had the pleasure of getting through to Cromwell in the unusually short period of ten hours, travelling from Clyde by means of Mr W. Olds' recently installed motor car, which arrived in Cromwell at 5.15, nearly one hour ahead of the coach. We understand that the same car has been commissioned to convey a party of local sports to the Gore races on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving Cromwell on Tuesday and returning on Friday.

The death is announced at Ornnaku on Tuesday last of Mr William Paul, a well-known and popular figure throughout Central Otago. Deceased was wide-ly-known as a patron of the turf, both active and retired, and was present in the latter capacity at the recent Cromwell and Blacks meetings, and appeared at that time to be enjoying good health. Of laic years deceased purchased a property at Moa, Flat, but at the time of his sudden death was staying with his son-in-law Mr Con White. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to the sorrowing relations. It is not generally known how careful the city fathers are of their children, says an exchange. Before the Wellington City Council authorities would issue a license to Messrs Wirth Bros.’ to show in Wellington, they insisted on making it conditional on the part of the circus proprietors to take out an accident insurance policy for TLUOO, to cover any accident that may arise to any of the public within the precincts or the circus. This, of course, is altogether apart from the accident policy taken out by the Wirth’s under the Employers Liability Act, which policy covers the whole of the firm’s employees. Mr Peterson, representative for the Wirth Bros., states that Wellington is the only town in Australasia which insists on an accident insurance policy being taken out as a condition under which the license is issued. Incidentally the license costs for a week’s performance.

Members of the Borough Council were, to a great extent, conspicuous by their absence ou Thursday evening at the meeting called to arrange for a reception to the parly of Dunedin residents and members of Parliament, who intend visiting the district in (lie interests of its future welfare, but nevertheless the baud of enthusiasts who assembled outlined a programme which should prove acceptable to the visitors and local residents, for it is evident the visitors do not anticipate lavish treatment and unnecessary expenditure. As announced elsewhere, the visit has, consequent upon the assembly of Parliament on February loth, been arranged a week earlier all through. Ou their arrival in Cromwell ou Monday, oth February, the party will be entertained at a social in the Athemoum Hall, for which a charge of Is will be made for gents, and ladies will be admitted free, being requested to assist with refreshments. Fruitgrowers will likewise be asked to donate fruit which will serve the dual purpose of refreshments and giving the visitors an opportunity to sample the district’s products. The programme for Tuesday, (Ith February, will commence with a visit to Mr Bradley’s orchard, after which the party will be piloted across the Cromwell Flat towards the Gorge, thence to Mr James Mackenzie’s farm, through Bum Cottage to Mr Heaney’s, and down the Lowburn Creek to Mr E. Olds’, farm, and afterwards to Mount Pisa Station, where the party have been invited to lunch by Mr E. J. Hendric. In the afternoon the party proceeds to Wanaka, There is a general belief that the present visit will be a great factor in the future progress of this district, and it remains for the local residents to unanimously unite i|i carrying their part of the pi’ograniuif? out successfully.

A meeting of the Fire Brigade Bazaar Ladies Guild is called for Thursday evening in the guild room. It is also requested that all accounts against the guild be forwarded prior to the meeting. Particulars of the sale of the Cairnmuir Coal-mine anil plant will be found in our advertising columns. The property will be offered by auction at Cromwell on February 10th, by Mr J. Rivers, and all particulars as to output, etc, can he obtained from Mr James Gordon, Kawarau Gorge. Mr William Parsons Jones, one of Otago Central’s early settlers, passed away in Dunedin on Saturday, (sth January, at the advanced age of 78 years. Deceased was a well-known and popular resident of Bannockburn, where he lived for a great number of years, and his many friends will regret to learn of his death. A well-known figure iu military circles under the old order, Sergt-Major Ivibblewhite. was in Cromwell on Saturday, under the new role of Quartermaster Sergt-Major, his mission being to take over all accoutrements of the late Cromwell Rilles and pass same on to the Territorials. After a short spell through the Xmas holidays the Territorials will be again taken in hand at once. Iu future, Regimental Sergt-Major Roberts will superintend the instruction in all the chief centres of the Regiment, which includes Cromwell, while Area Sergtmajor Edwards will have his time fully occupied in visiting the outside districts.

We believe that the course which Sir Joseph Ward has now adopted, in asking the Governor to convoke Parliament at an early date, will meet with the approval of all sections and political parties throughout the Dominion (says the “ Auckland Star.”) We are certainly not inclined to commit ourselves irrevocably to a definite prediction as to how the Labor members and the Independents will vote on the first division, but at the present moment our information makes it quite as probable that the five members to whom we have referred will vote for Sir Joseph Ward as for Mr Massey, iu which ease the Liberals instead of being iu a minority of four, would have a majority of six votes all told. This we repeat is not a prophecy ; it is really a statement of a contingency which is well within the range of practical politics. In any case, it is clear that the Labor members and the Independent Liberals combined have the situation in their hands, and it is much more probable that they will ultimately be found ranged under the Government banner than iu the Opposition camp. But this much is certain : that if Mr Massey takes office he will find arrayed against him the whole of the section of the people which stands for progress, and which takes as its test of legislation the interests of the Democracy, and no true Liberal need be apprehensive about the result of such a struggle.