CROMWELL NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20671, 19 December 1930, Page 11

CROMWELL NOTES

[From Our. Own Correspondent.]

So far there has only been brief spasms of summer in Central Otago, and regular cold storms have countered the benefits of a few occasional warm days. Cold southerly blizzards on Monday and Tuesday were the worst since the depths of winter, and there was a good deal of snow on the hills. Everything is very backward. Grain will bo a month or more later than usual, and tho same applies to the main varieties of fruit. Tho town is not without its share of the unemployed, and the works recently created to meet the position are about at an end. There are_ no immediate prospects of work offering. Men on tho land are not employing ns many as usual. Some with small flocks even went sO far as to do their own shearing. Some trades, too, are slack. Particularly does tiiis apply to building, and some of the contractors cannot keep their staffs employed. Mining has attractions for some, but those interested are at a loss as to how to proceed for the Government subsidy. . It cannot be said that the United Party has enhanced its in this ‘district after two years in office. In a, valley which lends itself so admirably for development there is no prospect of anything. The only work is tho Haast Pass road, but one could not seriously contend that this is of direct importance in tho development of the district. In many directions, in a hvdro-elecfcrio pumping scheme from Lake Hawea, for instance, there would be something making for stability. Against some such scheme, however, the Government seems content to provide money lor work which has to be created, without tho least prospect of such expenditure being revenue-producing or reproductive. Neither has tho party’s land policy made its influence felt in this district to tho merest degree. It seems to adhere to a policy of purchasing costly properties against developing its own Grown lauds. Tho committee, representative or all local bodies in Vincent _ and Lake Comities, organised to further tho Hawea hydro-electric scheme, is busy gathering data. Copy of a Government report is to hand, and outlines the proposals. One estimates that by raising tho lake 40ft and taking the water from the outlet, 20,000 horsepower can be generated at a cost of £404,600. The other, at the Neck, would provide 24,000 horse-power at a cost of £641.000. It would be interesting to have the figures of private enterprise on the same proposals. The opinion is steadily _ gaming ground that private enterprise ami straightout contract would give tho best results. Tho whole question is likely to be enthusiastically taken up early in the new your, and a definite attitude

adopted in approaching the Government. There is more than a prospect that this will bo made the one issue at next General Election, and a definite statement demanded from the party leaders, political opinions_ being sunk in the interests of the district. There is likely to be systematic organisation to that end. While a revival in mining would at the moment be very opportune, the position is not encouraging. Cornish Point mine is idle at present, hut with Government assistance and fresh capir tal will probably resume work in the autumn. Excellent development work has been carried out, and prospects at the point reached are very hopeful. Success there would mean a great deal to the industry locally. Several claims are in operation at Nevis. Of these. Jones and party, working' some top layers, are doing exceptionally well. Williams and party are also reported to be on rich ground. In connection with areas held on the Clutha, matters are proceeding quietly, and there is at least a prospect of this field being revived with a large up-to-date dredge. On the Kawarau high level, at Victoria Bridge, only two men are engaged in a system of tribute. At times they have picked up some very heavy gold.