Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 5, 1912.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2283, 5 February 1912, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 5, 1912.

The Cromwell Tennis Club lias arranged a match with Alexandra, on the latters court, on Saturday, February 17th.

We again remind residents in the Upper Clutha Valley of the sale by auction at Pembroke, on Saturday next, of furniture etc, on account of Miss Murdoch. The auctioneers (Cotter Bros.) invite other entries.

Ratepayers are still awaiting the councils decision in regnal to a water service for sections on the Hat where dwellings are not erected. It was anticipated that the committee would make some recommendation on this matter at last meeting, but no definite policy has been laid clown so far. Wc know- of two parties who bad under offer sections in the back part of the town, but being doubtful of a water sendee, are holding off in the meantime.

to Central Otago the “Southland Times” says; ] t is no part of our purpose to (leery the Otago Central district. We have no doubt that with a scientific system of irrigation it will one day be converted into a productive area, growing grain and fruit iu vast quantities, and supporting a large population; but at the present time it is anything but a thriving district. Its meagreness is proved by the figures of its railway, which costs more than a million and a quarter and pays less than £1 per cent.

Messrs Clris Beg# and Co’s piano tuner Mr H. Briand, will be in Cromwell at an early date, and orders left at Mr R May’s Golden Age Hotel will be promptly attended to. There was a fair attendance of members at the committee meeting of the Upper Clutha Valley Collie Dog Club at Luggate on Saturday evening. The programme for the annual trial was drawn up. A full report will be available for next issue and programmes will be distributed at an early date. On Saturday next at Cromwell, Mr J. Rivers will offer by auction the wellknown Cairnmuir Coal Mine and plant. The mine is in first-class working order and supplies an article which commands a ready sale. Intending purchasers cau obtain all information in regard to output, etc, from Mr J. Gordon, Ivawarau Gorge. A Hawea correspondent writes that harvesting is now in full swing throughout the district and is being favored with ideal weather. Some excellent crops have been produced, including many areas under barley. Harvesters were scarce at the commencement, but a number arrived during the past fortnight, and a full complement was available. About 5 p.m. on Friday last, the Gibbston Hotel and four-roomed cottage adjoining, the property of Mr Alex. Scott, was totally destroyed by lire. Practically nothing was saved from the hotel, but several station hands, who were near the scene at the time, succeeded in salvaging most of the furniture from the cottage. We understand there was an insurance on the building, but we cannot ascertain the amount. The “ Duustau Times ” stales that at a recent meeting of the Clyde Sports Club, in response to an invitation from the chairman that the business people—• those who derived liuaueial benefit from the sports —-should contribute more liberally, the following subscriptions were offered in the room : Mrs Kenning £5 os, Mr P. Harrington £5 ss, Mr H. Partridge to os, Sympathiser £5 ss, Horn and Parcell £2 2s, and Mr W. Sutherland £1 Its (id. In comparison with racing and sports clubs in other towns, the Clyde club is particularly fortunate. Mr James Craigie, M.P. for Timaru, was in the Clyde and Alexandra districts early last week. His intention was to tour Central Otago with the Dunedin visitors, but lie was a week too early, and so decided to make a hurried visit alone, as his time was limited. Arriving in Clyde on Monday last, Mr Craigie visited a number of orchards there, and subsequently inspected several at Alexandra and Roxburgh. Ho was deeply impressed with the orchards brought under his notice and is convinced tliat irrigation in the central district would be attended with excellent results. Mr Craigie will endeavor to visit the Upper Clutha Valley at a later date. At Thursday nights meeting of the borough council, Cr Betts, referring to the water question, stated that he had been told that “ business people in the main street were paying for water which was being used by baek-bloekers.” This is a new argument in opposition to sections being occupied on the Hat, hut one which we are sure could qot have emanated from a business-man. In the only discussion on this important question we find the policy of a half-inch service to every section supported by leading business men. Business people have all the water required with inch laps distributed at regular intervals, and what is more, are particularly anxious to see a great number of sections occupied in the back-blocks. It would be an appreciable sigu of the times, one conspicuous by its absence at present. The visit of Dunedin citizens and others to Central Otago with a view to championing the districts cause, is being eagerly anticipated in the various centres, and beneficial results arc expected from the tour, but to what extent cannot be conjectured, for the unsettled slate of the political atmosphere is by no means opportune. It is a matter for regret tliat the party cannot make a closer.inspection of the various localities than is intended, but it must be realised that a great number of the party have suffered considerable inconvenience in leaving their business to make the trip and it remains with the residents of the district to make the most of the time which the visitors will spend in the various localities ami we have no doubt they will be cordially received, and favorably impressed. It is quite evident (hat the Arbitration Act is doomed (says the “ Evening Star.”) The eagerness with which many of the industrial unions are cancelling their resignation is indicative of the attitude of organised Labor. Both employees and employers are apparently quite willing to say good-bye to the Act; the former because many of the awards under it have proved (so they allege) burdensome, the latter because they chafe under the restraint and fetters of the conditions attached to the awards. This is a very curious and instructive feature, but it is one that was not entirely unforeseen by the critics of Mr Reeves “ magnum opus ” w hen it was before the Legislature seventeen years ago. While the wages barometer was rising steadily the instrument was jealously cared for, but when it can rise no higher, then it must be east away and throwm on the dump heap! The question naturally arises : What will be done next ? The industrial army of this Dominion is a very largo and potential force, especially at the ballot box. Though fully armed, the bludgeon of a strike—partial or general—is a very inefficient w'eapou, so far as actual results arc concerned, if the lessons ol the past arc a reliable criterion, yet it is the one that Labor will be prepared to grasp and utilise every time once the Arbitration Act is removed from the Statute Book. But it must never be forgotten tliat this bludgeon will sooner or later develop a boomerang tendency, whenever the public show themselves to be antagonistic to the revolt of Labor. Long hours, or poor pay, or harsh treatment go a long way towards justifying organised Labor acting on the defensive and resorting to a final step, but do such conditions, either in part or in the mass, exist here Furthermore, employers cannot be forced to employ anybody or cverbody. From a *■ lock-out ” ora “shut-down” there is no appeal. Dislocation of trade | necessarily moans lessened employment ! at minced wages, implying loss to the ! employer but no advantage to the , workerFor sale— young shorthorn bull; quiet, i

Chief Inspector Richardson, accompanied by the Education Board architect was ia Cromwell during the past week inspecting the school and dwelling with a view to alterations and improvements, which will be carried out at an early date.

At the ordinary meeting on Thursday evening the borough council again dealt with the wandering stock nuisance, and has adopted measures which it is hoped will put an end to the trouble. It is more satisfactory for an employee of the council to undertake the duty of laying an information against offenders, as such an action by a householder invariably creates an enmity with owners, but this cannot apply to a servant of the council, provided his duty is carried out impartially, for he is only fulfilling the orders of his employer. If the trouble continues as during the past fortnight, the police court should be the scene of many convictions at the next sitting.

When a sheep will bo sent to the new freezing works, nothing of that sheep will be wasted (says the “Southland Times.”) The carcase will be frozen, the hide will be tanned, tfie wool will be dried and packed, the offal will bo placed in the digester and the tallow extracted, and what remains will be crushed and made up into manure. From the trotters neats foot oil will be extracted and from the blood the highest class of manure will be manufactured. A more complete utilisation of what used to be called “ waste product ” can hardly be imagined.