Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 19, 1912

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2285, 19 February 1912, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, Feb. 19, 1912

The Cromwell Tennis Club failed to raise a team to fulfil the engagement with Alexandra on Saturday last. There is keen enquiry for sheep throughout this district, quite a large number oil lambs having been purchased by Dunedin buyers. It is common report that an offer of £2,500 has been refused for 14,000 acres which were recently balloted for and drawn by the son of a well known Upper Clutha family, possession of which will be taken on the Ist of March. Owing to the large number of applications for tbe two runs near Middlemarch the business of the Laud Board was not completed, and a special meeting will likely be held this week to deal with it. At last meeting of the Lake County Council deputations were present from both sides and argued, the position for and against motor traffic within the county. The following resolution was eventually adopted : That the opinion of Lake County ratepayers be taken as to whether motors be allowed to travel over county roads or not. On Wednesday 28th February, Mr J. Rivers will sell by public auction at Cromwell, on account of Mr L. Gibbs who is leaving the district, household furniture and effects, also splendid fiveroomed house, newly renovated, with all conveniences. The furniture is in first class order. Details appear in our advertising colurns. Them has been a very sharp advance in cornsacks during the past week or two and prices are now probably higher than they have been quoted before. Advice received locally states there will be a scarcity later on, owing to a very bountiful harvest, and that farmers will have to use second-hand sacks in order to get their produce to the market. A Makarora correspondent writes : Dr and Mrs Falconer, and Miss Ewiug, accompanied by Mr Ted Cron as guide, left Makarora for the West Coast on February 12th. The weather was very favorable. During the mouth of February these visits to the coast are nearly always favored with beautiful weather. Applications for the three blocks on Criffel range close at the Athemcum Hall, Cromwell, on Monday, at 4 p.m. The examination and ballot will be held in the ltal' on Tuesday. It will be seen from an advertisement; in this issue that the two blocks on Moutere run that were open for selection have been withdrawn, and it is rumored that four members of the Board wired their resignation to the Minister unless they hal a satisfactory explanation as to the withdrawal without consulting the Board. The following business in regard to the Wanaka division of Lake County was transacted at last meeting of the council held on Tuesday last:—Correspondence and telegrams were tabled in connection with the new wharf at Bernbroke. Allan's contract was £250 and the Government vote only £2OO. It was decided to approach the Government for an additional £25 and the County would hud the other £25. This had been granted and the Clerk reported that the tender of Mr Allan had been accepted at £250. Cr McDougall suggested that seeing the lake was high at this period of the year and interfered with wharf construction, that the time limit for the completion of the work should not be rigidly enforced. No one would be inconvenienced. The Inspector said that perhaps a little extra time might be allowed. The matter was left in his hands.— Under-Secretary Lands wrote referring to the councils letter regarding the Matulutuki river protection works. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, did not consider the river encroachment would proceed much further. As the matter had already been placed in the Public Works De- j partment and the District Engineer had reported on the same it was unnecessary for the Lands Department to go into the question any further. Cr McDougall complained of the light manner in which this important work had been treated. —Tenders received for gravelling at Glendhu were D. Mackie £1 ISs Gd per chain; Smith Bros £1 8s (accepted.) —" Press."

The county rate collector notifies the dates of his visit to the northern riding of the county. A general meeting of the Cromwell Caledonian [Society is called for Tuesday evening when all members are requested to attend. Evidently the description of runs No. oil and 513 on Criffel face have been transposed, but whether this applies to the valuations we are not quite clear, but intending applicants should look into this before lodging applications. The land "hunger is more than keen throughout this district, and a large number of local residents are going to try their luck at the ballot next Tuesday in Cromwell for a block, the favorite one being the (5250 acres on Criffel, which will probably have 100 applicants. There is every reason to believe that in the near future the mail contract from Clyde to Wanaka will be carried out •by a motor service. The present contract expires on December 31st, 1912, and in view of the new term several motor car owners have already inspected the roads and are quite satisfied with the conditions prevailing, and more than one will tender when the time arrives. There is little doubt that the Government will strain a point to secure the motor service. At last meeting of the Borough Council it was reported that a small area of lupines on the sand dunes had been destroyed by fire, and it was surmised that the damage was caused by children. The seriousness of such an action cannot be too forcibly impressed, as fire might destroy such a wide area of vegetation and release immense dunes of saud that would quickly envelop the town. The council is offering a reward for information as to offenders. , Miss Kathleen Thomas, a Cromwell young lady, who has been in the employ of Mr W. T. Talboys for several years has relinquished her position with the firm to accept an appointment in other parts. Miss Thomas has no less than four positions to choose from, including one in Gisborne. Prior to leaving she was the recipient of a handsome travelling rug from her recent employer, the presentation being made by the manager, Mr W. Jelley, in an appropriate manner. We are reliably informed that Mr D. C. Betts, who recently made a successful application.to the Borough Council for a half-inch water service to two sections on the fiat towards the hospital, has placed an order for 750 fruit trees and will set to work immediately preparing the area for planting in the autumn, Such enterprise should be encouraged and numerous ratepayers have expressed the opinion that young people who are prepared to go out and settle such an area as that under notice might be grant: ed an inch water service for three years free of charge. The owner of the section adjoining has also booked 1000 trees. A Wanaka correspondent writes that a large number of local residents will be in for the three blocks on Criffel which will be balloted for in Cromwell on Tuesday, 27th. The three blocks are all good and safe, and the two smaller ones will provide a good living for the fortunate ones at the ballot, and the larger one will of course give a really good income.—The local crops are very good this year, (he principal crop being barley, and there is every prospect of good prices, several having already sold their barley at 4s (id at Clyde, which will leave them about 3s 9d clear on the ; ground; There is not much wheat grown this year so there is every indi- [ cation of a much better price being obtained locally than in previous years. It was, not a riot nor a strike that caused the bustle about the Lands Office on Wednesday (says the " Star.") The bearded and sun-browned men there assembled are not built that way. They were after the chance of a hit of land. Two small grazing runs, No. 121, of 4,170 acres, 1.2 miles from Middleniarch railway station, and No T2lj, 4,532 acres 17 miles from Middlcmarch, were opened for lease recently, and both were rushed, there being 234 applications for one run and 199 applications tor the other. The applicants were examined by the Land Board, the questioning being as to means and the likelihood of the properties being properly worked, also as to what holdings each applicant already has. After interrogation by the board 158 applicants out of 234 were approved for run 121, and 141 applicants out of 199 for run 121 j. At the conclusion of the ensuing ballot it was announced that run 121 had been drawn by Thomas Ross, of Palmcrston, and run 121j by D. G. Williamson, of Ivokonga. Referring to the future of Central Otago, the Dunediu evening daily says : —While strongly deprecating any imitation of the Auckland hysteria, we are very earnest in our desire for Otago's progress, and though the Mayor of Duncdin, Mr Moritzson, and other enthusiasts are probably disposed to think us lukewarm in respect to the extension of the Otago Central Railway, they will not doubt the sincerity of our motives. We have nothing to gain by differing with them, and when we recognise that the time has come for the iron horse to go snorting towards Wanaka we shall not be backward in our advocacy. In the meantime, however, we are in general i agreement with the remarks made by a Cromwell resident, Mr Geo. Neill, who made a forcible speech, and declared that irrigation was of greater importance to the people here than the extension of the railway. . . . Whatever Government and party may be in power during the next year or two, the interests of Otago in general, and Central Otago in particular, will not be neglected ; or, if they are neglected, the representatives of the city and province will eventually pay the cost. Mr A. Genge junr., of Tichborne. near Parkes (N.S.W.), had purchased a number of bees and was removing some of the hives and their occupants, when one of the boxes was upset by the cart jolting in a rut. The bees escaped and at once attacked both horse and driver. As the bese means of escaping from his predicament, Mr Genge proceeded to unharness the animal (a valuable mare), j and the cart tipped up, throwing the | remaining hives out and liberating the I occupants. So fiercely did the bees attack him that Mr Genge was compelled to seek refuge in a water hole and leave the mare to her fate. The animal died as a result of the stings she received. Methodist Church services for Sunday next will be conducted as follows : Bendigo 11 am, and Cromwell 7 p.m, Rev. C. Duncan, Bannockburn 7 p.m, Mr C. Sanders.