CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 6

CROMWELL.

February 24th.. Since my last we also have had our share of floods, although, happily without the destine- - tion of property to which other parts of the Colony have been subjected. The damage done in other parts of New Zealand will require a heavy drain upon the funds of the newly-formed Councils to repair, and in this matter we have reason for congratulation, as I have not heard of any serious injury to the roads within our County. Memorials ad libitum are being circulated here for signature, all bearing upon Mr Pyke's defection from rigid adherence to his political pledges. He has been called on to resign his seat in the House, and this requisition has evoked a letter in the paper which proves the difficulty which he must experience in attempting to clear himself. He professes not to see any reason why even admitted misconduct as a County Councillor should destroy confidence in him as our representative in the higher character ; but his constituents do not give him credit for being so mentally obtuse." No .man knows better than Mr Pyke that if a man breaks his pledged word in one matter he cannot be relied on in any other. By-the-bye, a paragraph has been going the rounds of the Press to the effect that notwithstanding the alleged indignation of the Cromwellites he visited Cromwell without any marks of dis« favour. It should in fairness have been stated that Mr Pyke took the opportunity of visiting Cromwell under cover of v the funer J of the late Mrs Goodger, that he , I came about ten minutes before" it started for the Cemetery, and left within fifteen minutes.

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of the return of the mourners ; and, further, than ' he carefully kept housed until he sprang into a buggy in company with a guard of Clydeites. And, .notwithstanding the solemnity of the occasion, he was. lustily hooted as he drove away ; also, as showing the trepidation displayed by him, it appears that in the haste of starting something went wrong with the harness, and at the bridge the driver proposed stopping to make all right, but Mr Pyke implored him to push on at any risk until he got clear of the town. Such then was his reception, such his exit, and so much for the truth of the paragraph referred to, which is in keeping with the character of the person who caused its circulation.

a Mr Pyke's constituents have also requested him to resign, and he must be a man of itrong determination and utterly indifferent to the wishes of his quondam friends, if he does not retire from the posts he now holds. Two Councillors (County) have resigned, and • carious point arises, viz., how to elect successors—not being a first election, and no roll existing, it is a difficult question to dis< cover a qualification for either elact or elector.

Our County Assessment Court is advertised to sit at Kawarau Gorge, and our personal notices intimate Cromwell as the place of the Court, The Court sits only after ten days' notice that effect, and notice in tho interpretation clauses is personal, not by advertisement. The valuers' roll, as signed by them, ia of a date anterior to their appointment by the Court. Proof was given" to the Court that no valuation was made within the time^ required, ' and fresh valuers were appointed ; but bow the proof was given is a mystery, as the tVudge was only appointed in Wellington on the sth February, and the advertisement — " Proof having been given of failure to value," &c. — appeared at 5 a.m. on the 6th. These are a few of the difficulties which present themselves as the result of a hastily-constructed Act, and a still more hasty introduction of it.

The Town Council are as yet committed to take steps to merge into the County, but I imagine, in face of the Chairman's unpopularity, it will not be proceeded with. A conference will be held on 28th inst. to arrange the settlements. A memorial is also being circulated for separation of this end of the County and for* matien of a new one. It is expected to be very generally signed. The new Colonial Bank building is pro* ceeding apace, and will be a great improvement to that part of the town ; and the section intervening between it at Hallenatein's large building is also being built upon, making, when finished, one of the finest blocks of building in the district. The extensive sawmill lately the property of Mackellar, Isboll, and Co., have changed hands. ; Mr Russell, of Pembroke, being the purchaser.