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Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2286, 26 February 1912, Page 4

The Caledonian Society intend making a stait on Wednesday getting the ground in order for the annual sports meeting, and a full attendance of members is expected. The local baud acquitted itself very creditably in a programme in the main street on Saturday evening, and the general verdict was that the performance was the best for some time, In our last issue we mentioned that, in our opinion, an error appeared in the plans of the runs offered for ballot, and this proved to be correct. The description of block 511 was attached to block 513, and vice versa. Amended plans are now available, and intending applicants should make -a point of inspecting the revised plans.

A public meeting is called for Friday evening next, at Bannockburn, to appoint representatives on the Land League. Mr M. O’Driscoll lias for private sale a quantity of first class furniture, garden implements, etc, as detailed in another column. Mr J. Elvers will offer by public auction on Saturday next, at the Courthouse, Cromwell, the property and plant of the Cromwell Mines. Development Company. The property is being sold under order from the court to satisfy claims for wages. As we go to press the town presents an unusually busy appearance, a large number of aspiring runholders from all parts of Otago being in town to lodge applications for the various blocks in the Wanaka district, and providing they are accepted in the examination which follows, to participate in the ballot on Tuesday. It is expected that over 100 | applications will be received for at least | one of the blocks, and will comprise all 1 classes of the community, tfusincsspeople included. The only regret is that all their wishes cannot be fulfilled, but it is ample proof of the existing hunger for laud. Mr T. 11. Cahill, who has successfully occupied the position of proprietor and editor of the “ Alexandra Herald ” for the last seven years, has disposed of the property to Mr J. J. Ramsay. The future proprietor is not- a novice in journalism, having formerly conducted the columns of the •* Taieri Advocate,” and has also been a constant contributor to various other journals. A writer of more than ordinary ability, Mr Ramsay can in future be safely entrusted with the vigorous policy pursued by the “ Herald” under its late owner. Mr Ramsay is a well-known figure in Central Otago, where he resided for a number of years. The change takes place on Ist March. Some of the farmers in the Upper Olutha have now finished threshing, and the results are available. Messrs Miller and Sons, of Mount Barker, will likely have the record return of barley, 75 bushels to the acre, several others having 60 bushels. At Hawea Flat, Mr P. M’Carthy’s fine farm has some splendid returns, a 170 acre paddock of barley is almost certain to give over 60 bushels which works out at over 2500 bags of four bushels ; a paddock of his oats yielded 80 bushels, and throughout the district the returns of all cereals will be very good. A number of the farmers have already sold their barley at 4s 6d a bushel at Clyde, the net return after paying for cartage will thus be about 15s per bag. The following business of local interest was transacted at last meeting of the Land Board held in Dunedin on Friday, 16th inst: —District Surveyor Barron forwarded a report upon the aplication of William Little for a lease over an area of 640 acres in Cardrona Valley, Mount Oriffel run.—Declined i District Surveyor Barron reported upon Timothy Enright’s application for a renewable lease over an area of 640 acres on Criffel Face.—Declined.—Ranger Leonard reported upon the position of Allan Kane, who was not complying with the residence condition of his lease over small grazing run 236c.—Received, application for exemption from residence declined, —As the business of the board was not concluded when it rose, it is probaole that a special meeting will be held early next month to deal with the surplus. The inoxpiailiable law governing the game of chance —if indeed there be any such law, —was in evidence in connection with the land ballot at the Courthouse, Oaraaru. on Wednesday evening (says the ‘ Mail.’) Of the runs set down for allotment, that known locally as Porter’s attracted the greatest competition. the applicants being represented by 219 marbles consecutively in the ballot box. Of course one marble stood as good a chance as any other in the draw, but no one for one moment expected that of so many No. 1 would be drawn. Yet this is what happened, and the result was received with great excitement. It is stated only on one occasion in connection with the history of laud ballots in Otago lias No, 1 marble been drawn, this was in Dunedin last February when Mr J. Goodger, of Cromwell drew the famous “ Geordie Hill ” block. Mr L. M. Tanscy, who has occupied j the position of clerk of the court in Cromwell for a little over twelve months has resigned from the I service, and having just recently passed ( his examination as a solicitor, intends | to acquire a practice in his profession, j During his short term in Cromwell Mr I Tanscy has closely associated himself j with the football and tennis clubs, in | which ho has • been an enthusiastic I member. In his official capacity also he ; has proved a very courteous and able I officer and his many friends of his short sojourn in our midst will join in wishing him success as one of the “ costs brigade.” The date of Mr Tansey’s departure is not definitely known, although he wishes to be relieved as early as possible, having already turned Ids attention to a promising centre in the North. The following information in regard to the obligations of members of the Territorial forces to attend the forthcoming annual training camps is being furnished to employers of labor by Cap- i tain Hudson (officer in charge of the group:—“ The annual camp of the 10th Regiment (North Otago Rifles) in which is included the Cromwell section, will be held at the Show Grounds, Oamaru, from 11th April to 18th April. Attendance at this camp is strictly compulsory for all members of the 10th Regiment, who during that time will not be available for any other work. No one will be excused from this camp, unless it can be clearly shown that his (or their) absence at one and the same time from one establishment will bring | the business to a standstill. In es- | tablishments where this is found to be the case it is proposed to take as many as can possibly be spared for the camp of lire 10th Regiment at the date stated the remainder to go into camp with another regiment at a date before or after that of the 10th Regiment. It is by cordial and close co-operation of citizens and soldiers, employers and others, that the greatest success can bo attained. The commanding officer, therefore, will be glad of their assistance, and is convinced that by the public and military working together all cases of hardship will be reduced to the vanishing point It is to be hoped that any such cases will be immediately represented." I

Tlie annual picnic in connection with the Low burn school will be held at Mr Geo. Partridge's farm on Friday next. Mr Robert Ray of the Bannockburn Ritle Club, left last Thursday morning to compete in the rifle association meetings at Christchurch and Trentham. In our advertising colums will be found all particulars governing the annual examinations for mine-managers battery superintendents, and dredgemasters certificates. At last meeting of tbe Otago Education Board the architect's report that he could see no way of improving the position of the Cromwell school was approved. Attention is finally drawn to the anvertisement of the Borough Council which notifies that all rates remaining unpaid after 29th February are liable to a penalty of 10 per cent. At a meeting of the Cromwell Jockey Club on Friday evening the protest lodged by Mr M. Phelan, the owner of Alto, against stakes at the recent meeting being paid to Seagar, on the ground that the change of ownership to James Horn junr., was not in order, was dismissed. , Mr R. Clyrao, who was a resident of this district for some years, and recently removed to Australia to settle on the land, nas suffered a serious loss in his first year as a letter to a local resident states that Mr Clymo's crop, to the value of £"300, was totally swept by the recent fires in Australia. The Minister of Internal Affairs is to be asked by the Otago Acclimatisation Society to declare an open season for paradise ducks 1 to May 14, inclusive. The society's Game Committee recommended the council to make the request on the strength of many reports which had been received from various sources. Remember sale by auction on Wednesday next, of household furniture etc, on account of Mr L. Gibbs, who is leaving the district. Some first-class furniture will be offered, also useful garden implements, hives of bees, and poultry of the famous White Leghorn strain. The sale, which will be conducted by Mr J. Rivers, commences at 2 p.m, sharp. A Nevis correspondent writes :—A very old and respected resident of the Nevis district, Mr Andrew Williamson, passed away at his residence on Wednesday last, after a short illness, at the age of 76 years. Deceased who was a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, arrived in the colony 48 years ago, and followed the occupation of mining, and has resided at JN T evis for a great many years. His wife predeceased him some years ago, and there is a grown-up family of three sons and four daughters to mourn their loss, to whom a general sympathy is extended, The funeral took place in the Nevis cemetery on Saturday in the presence of a large .gathering of friends of deceased, the service being conducted by the Rev. Win. Rowlands.