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Dunstan Times, Issue 1512, 9 January 1891, Page 2

It is asserted by those who ought to know that though public notice was given that traffic across the Cromwell Bridge would be stopped as . from the oth inst., it was known to the contractors that such could not possibly be, as a very large body of material has yet to be landed on the cast side of the "bridge before the work of demolition could commence. Now, we cannot but think that if the County authorities were nor aware of this, they really should have been ; and, moreover, thev should have taken the earliest possible steps to have put the public right in the matter, and thus prevent any possible inconvenience. It may be said that the Comity authorities never gave any official notice of the date of closing the bridge against traffic. That may be all very well, but by not correcting the contractor’s notice they virtually endorsed it; and on that point the public will agree with us. Now, it appears to us the whole matter connected with the construction of this bridge is surrounded with a mystery that wants clearing up. If we remember rightly the contract was to be completed in November 1890: yet here we are in the middle of January 1891, and only some 30 tons, out of 120 tons of material required, is on the ground, and not a word of complaint on the part of the County against the contractor is made ; or at all events, reaches the public. At the time the decision was arrived at to erect a new bridge it was admitted on all sides that the old one was in so rotten and dangerous a state that to keep on repairing it would cost more in the long run than would a new one. At the same time it was recognised as being positively dangerous ; yet this cost is continued, and as a matter of course the danger must be increased. The question arises at whose expense is this continued cost of repairs and should an accident occur through the dilapidated state of the bridge, at whose doors would be the responsibility? These are questions the County ratepayers are entitled to ask, and for the answers they will doubtless await with some degree of impatience the coming meeting of the Council.

That Mr John Roberts richly merited the honor conferred on him by Her Majesty for Ins services in connection With the late exhibition, there are few who will gainsay. He lairl himself out to make it a success, and he succeeded beyond even his own most sanguine expectations, and doubtless he was proud of the many nice things that was said of him, to him, and at him by anybody and everybody who had a word to say on the subject. But whether this last recognition will add anything to his pride and happiness is another matter. C.M.G.’s are not so common, however, as blackberries in spring, or that a presentee can

afford to refuse the gift; yet we think it scarcely commensurate with the services rendered, and if they were worth recognising, surely something more substantial should have been given. Yet we by no means hold it to be politic this scattering broadcast -of empty baubles the more especially in cases -of this -kind. The exhibition was a decided success, and Mr Roberts most cleverly generalised it through from its very inception ; .yet was its success traceable to him ? -Most decidedly no. To the people who took up the -suggestion-, and so -nobly -aided With money and kind, belongs the -real Credit, and -if a reward was merited to them it should have been given as -a whole. The exhibition is dead, and C.M.G.’s die ; and there is an end for ever of it. -If some noble work of art—-to have been placed in our Museum or elsewhere, where it would have been over -in the eye of the people—had been given hy Her Majesty, the exhibition of 90-91 would ever have lived, and the people would ever been .grateful.

The New Zealand Times states that Mf Scohie Mackenzie is -now spoken of as the Government candidate for the Speakership.

A dance will l>e held in the Town Hall* Clyde, this evening, in aid of the funds of the Clyde Minstrel Troupe. The meeting of the Hospital Trustees* convened for yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The adjourned meeting will be held on the 22nd inst.

We notice that Miss Isabella MacKellar (late of Cromwell) has taken a junior scholarship, standing third highest on the list. Miss Theyers was eleventh on the list for a senior scholarship.

Mr Henry Manders, who for some years represented the Wakatipu district in the House of Representatives, died rather suddenly at Invercargill on Monday morn* ing last.

Mr Fache requests us to draw attention to the sale of tumiture, &c., at the Clyde Camp on Saturday (to-morrow) afternoon, on behalf of Police Constable Nolan, wl.<9 has left the district.

Before leaving Cromwell for Dunedin (says the Argus), Miss Sarah MacKel.aT was presented with a purse of sovereigns by the scholars of the Public School here* She at the same time was made the recipient of a testimonial from the School Com* mittee, expressive of their satisfaction of her services as a pupil teacher during her foui years apprenticeship.

The Daily Times of the 3rd says ,* “ His Excellency the Governor received a tele* gram yesterday from the Secretary of State foj the Colonies, the Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, intimating that her Majesty the Queen had been pleased to center the honour of the Companionship of the Order of St Michael and St George upon Mr John Roberts for services rendered as President of the New Zealand and South Seas Ex* hibition.

The Hon the Minister of Mines has received the following communication from the Executive of the Federated Gold* miners’Association : “I cm instructed by the Executive of the Confederated Goldminers’ Association of Otago to convey to you their high apprec atiou and sincere thanks for your valuable services in connection with the repeal of the gold duty' Earnestly hoping that you will retain your present honorable position -I am, etc,, John H. Warner, secretary.”

The Molyneux Hydraulic, Elevating, and Mining Company is now registered, and the shares are being allotted, so that a short time should see the work commenced The success of this company would give a great impetus to the prosperity of the district, as there are several other places which only require the expenditureof capi* tal to become highly profitable, and once confidence is established the present com* pany will prove the forerunner of many others.

A concert to assist Mr Thomas Brown and family will be held in the Town Hall, Alexandra, on the 16th iust. Mr Brown, who is one of the oldest residents in the district has fortunately been laid up on a sick bed for a considerable time, and his friends have decided to get up a concert to raise funds to assist him in his trouble. A capital programme has been arranged, which, apart from the object for which the concert is given, should bring together a hamper house, and realise a handsome sum to the beneficiare.

Candidates for election to the Education Board of Otago are now busy in wooing the School Committees for their support. Rumor has it that a very large number of candidates are in the field, but the only one who has yet approached us is Mr M. Fraer, of Lawrence. This gentleman on the principle of his intimate knowledge of the working of the Board through his long connection with it, is worthy of support, and we shall hope of his return; further than that, Mr Fraer being the only upcountry resident on the Board, should weigh with Committees.