CROMWELL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20931, 22 January 1930, Page 4

CROMWELL NOTES.

(From Ouk Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, January 20. THE WEATHER. The early days of last week gavo further hope of settled warm weather, hut although there were several hot daye, there was not the dry, clear sunshine usually experienced here. During the week-end there was rain and a heavy downpour on Friday morning taxed the full capacity of the water channels. HIGHWAYS BOARD. Members of the Highways Board were in Cromwell on Thursday, but the business demanding their attention was slight. The Mayor (Mr Roberts) thanked the board for the subsidy which had been granted. At the same time ho indicated that further assistance might be asked for in the future to assist the work of tar-sedl-ing the borough streets. The board inspected the street which had been tarsealed and also the Railway road. The Mayor asked that a rock overhanging the latter road be removed, the road widened, and a footpath formed, for the safety of traffic and the many school children who use the road. The board members were with the necessity of the work. Another important question touched on was the need of an improved surface on the road from the railhead to the Upper Clutha, as the prospect of railway extension seemed remote. IRRIGATION. The frequent rains have kept the river at a level which has enabled the Cromwell Development Company to pump continuously. To-day, however, the river is again touching a low mark, and a further drop will throw the pumps out of commission. THE HARVEST. The harvest in the Upper Clutha gives prospects of being bountiful. It is later this season- than for many years, but will become general at any time now. BOWLING. The Wanaka Bowling Club, the youngest in this district, is in possession of the " Jolly " Cup for the second time this season, A rink played a challenge with Bannockbuvn on Thursday, and won by a fair margin, CRICKET. Lowburn, the only local cricket team, .played a return match with Arrowtown, on the latter's ground, last Saturday. Arrowtown were disposed of for 56 (J*. Fletcher 29. W. Shaw 15). Lowburn were capable of scoring only 46 (R. Vance 24, C. Bell 11). LAND SUBDIVISION. Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., was iu the district during the week, and met the electors to report progress, and incidentally to reply to the criticism of the United Party's land subdivision policy. He explained that the failure in respect to subdivision was due to the excessive cost of acquiring properties under the compensation provided in the 1925 Act, known as the Reform Party's Act. In respect to Mr Hyde's run of 12,000 acres, with rich river flats, and an excellent water right from the Lindis, the board and its officials did not consider this suitable for subdivision, an opinion which few with a knowledge of the place will endorse. When Mr Goodger carried on the subdivision of his property there will be in a group of sis runs, five of approximately 6500 acreseach, and one of 12,000. As to the gromised pre-sessional legislation, Mi odkin explained that with the present state of parties the enactment of legislation was difficult, but he was hopeful of an improvement next session. Regarding an irrigation scheme for the district, Mr Bodkin made the definite announcement that the Meg scheme was assured. The department would not sanction the greater scheme from Hawea, hence he had no alternative buf the one connected with the Meg. This would develop hydro-elec-tric power which would be generated at the foot of the creek, and taken to Luggate, where it would be used for pumpiug water into an irrigation race from the Clutha. The water would then be brought down the valley along the foothills, by gravitation, to irrigate the Pisa flats. This scheme, he anticipated, would be authorised at an early date, and he would be disappointed if it was not in hand and the land irrigated and ballotted ,for in about a year's time. Mr Bodkin Turther detailed his efforts on behalf of the district, and expressed disappointment that legislation had not been passed to meet the subdivision question. He received a vote of thanks for his services in connection with an irrigation scheme. SCHOOL REUNION. The forthcoming reunion of the Cromwell School, from Thursday to Sunday, is an absorbing tonic at the moment, and the assembling of old identities should be a memorable one. The large list of enrolments is being daily added to. The only essential to success is fine weather. STOCK SALE. The general opinion is that with the recent drop in wool, the competition at Friday's stock sale at Tarras wag more than satisfactory. The presence of South Canterbury buyers was a contributing factor to the success of the sale. Twotooth halfbred wethers realised up to 15s Od; two-tooth halfbred ewes, to 245; two-tooth crossbred ewes, to 265. These prices showed a big drop on the previous year's figures. *