CARDRONA NOTES.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2300, 23 February 1900, Page 5

CARDRONA NOTES.

February 19th. Pegging out dredging claims is again the order of the day, the fever being with us once more. Last week, three were lagged off, and, 1 believe, applied for. First of all, Clav Bank Gully has been reapplied for on behalf of Mr P. Patton. He pegged it off some five months ago, but for some reason or another let it lapse. I was surprised that it was left so long, as I think it will prove a very valuable property. The day after it was re-pegged, another party came to do so, but found it too late. There was another pegged off up Branch Creek, above the " Bonanza." Our racecourse is therefore again taken up. So you see we are not at the end of our " tether " yet. It is to be hoped that it will not be overdone, for if kept within limits, there is no doubt that Cardrona haa a bright future before it, and some rich patches of gold will be unearthed when the dredges get to work. A very enthusiastic social was held here on Wednesday evening, 14th inst., by way of a send-off to Mr Paterson, a very popular young man, who had volunteered, and was"accepted by the Arrow Committee, to be one of the Fourth Contingent. The residents had not much time allowed them by way of making preparations, as he only knew two days before he had to leave. However, where there is a will there is a will ; and on Wednesday the hall was crowded. As we are not overburdened with orators in our midst, the affair was opened with a few dances, Mr Galvin supplying the music. About 11 o'clock, tea was served out, after which Mr Mitchell, who was called to the chair, stated that the cause of their meeting together that evening was to bid farewell to their old friend, Mr Paterson, who was a general favourite, and took a leading part in all their sports. He had been captain of the cricket club for five years, and had lead them often to victory. After several eulogistic remarks as to Mr Paterson's loyalty in voliuiteering to represent Cardrona in the Fourth Contingent. Mr Mitchell closed his remarks by stating that money was wanted, of course, for their representative's equipment ; and although it was not altogether applicable to the present occasion, he would read the {»oem " The Absent-minded Beggar." It might soften their hearts and thus loosen their purse strings. After reading the ]>oem the hat went round, and nearly every one present responded to the call.' The full amount collected in the hat, and by canvassings throughout the day, was £l2, some shillings. After this api>eal, Mr Monteith, of Pembroke, made a few congratulatory remarks on Mr Patersous pluck in going a " lone bander" from this district to tight for justice and the upholding of the dear old Hag. Mr Galvin ;ilso made a short patriotic speech suitable to the occasion. Mr Paterson thanked the sneakers for the manv kind things they had said of him and" the poepie who had come to bid him'farewell, and said that, if allowed t<: co to the front by the Dunedin Committee, fie hoped he would at all times do his dutv" After this, dancing was resumed and kept up until daylight did appear. The bovs, and also the girls of Car , drona, were very much pleased to hear when the coach arrived on Saturday, thai . the Oueenstown Band turned out to cl< honor to the Arrow section on their tear- . ing Queenstown, and I beg to thank tn< I band on behalf of the Cardrona people to: i thus honouring our man on leaving \\ aka I tipa It may be for years, and it may b< forever, but we hope to welcome hin back amongst us once more in a year o \ two at most, With honours gained hghtmj for his Queen and country.