CROMWELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 25

CROMWELL.

May 30.— The finest juction our, little town lms seen for years Is now in full swing owing jofhs action of a majority of the trust giving the hospital doctor three months' notice, -without, as the man in the street says, "rhyme or reason." Theßev. James Cumming, amember'of the trust, - has taken a very decided stand in the matter, and has called a meeting of subscribers for Tuesday uight in order to discuss the action of the trust. Ifrom what I can gather the action of the trust has met with xinqualified disapproval, and a .meeting of subscribers will emphasise that fact, although I do not think the decision of the jtueeting will have jnuch weight with the section of ttie trust bent on the dismissal of the doctor. However, the result of the meeting will show whether this .prognostication is cprrect'or not. It is a great pity for the sake of the institution that the trust was not a little less precipitate in its action. The hospital is the only refuge in case of illness or accident to the unmarried miner, rabbiter, shepherd, or dredge hand. All of these are liable, to a greater or less degree, to feel the need of the hospital, and no section of the 'community has a greater stake in the welfare of the.hospital, which ia an institution not intended for the purpose of the requirements of old identities who are in comfortable circumstances, or of people whose business success renders them able to supply themselves with medical treatment In their own homes at their own expense. I .have already heard several people who have been regular subscribers to the hospital say that if the proposed dispensing with the services of Dr Morris is carried into effect they will never give another penny to its funds. If this reeling is at all general the extinction of the hospital is a cer< tainty. Judging from what one hears the trusl has not in the past distinguished itself for anj great energy in keeping up either the finance or tin credit of the institution. The worst of thest squabbles in a small district is that, owing to th« introduction of the personal element, any burniug public question which arises causes an amount o\ ill will and animosity that is out of all proportion in its extent and childish in its source. To\agre< to differ is a virtue that as 'only brought out by a, broadening of the mind .nueoluded hv <a, nrorovr

sphere. One who has lived in smsll communities and has seen the desperate quarrels that arise from small causes can quite understand the hatred betwecu the Montagues and the Gapulets ; the Jonpse:- and the Kobiu3ons are quite as bad.

Accident. — The circumstances surrounding the Bad death of the late Mr (Jameron have excited a great deal of interest. It seems almost impossible ftt first Right to think that a strong man— the deceased was an exceptionally stroDg man— should die, apparently of exposure, under the Cromwell Bridge: The body was discovered early in -the morning by a young man who was crossing the bridge on his way to the dredge he works on. One of the cr«w of the Alpine had gone on board and lit th* engine fire to get steam up, but had never thouyhi of looking for Cameron, who Blept below. This man had gono on board the dredge by thp boat at the side, and not by the plank leading from th.9 bow to the rocks under the bridge. When young Fleming came down, the man on the dredge was shocked to find his mate's body lying in front of the dredge, holding on to a mooring rope with the clasp of death. Cameron was not a man addicted to drink, but some friends h.5.6 been celebrating the safe passage of the Alpine down the falls, and he had evidently overstepped the mark. An inquest was held before Mr M "Carthy, S.M., on Friday, and adjourned till next Wednesday. Constable Dale deserves great credit for his attempts to probe the unfortunate affair lo the bottom, although some people think that he is far too officious. A jury was carefully chosen by the magistrate, and the verdict is awaited with great interest. Weather —The foggy weather we have been having lately has given place to a wintry burst that causes people to think that some icebergs must be stranded down about tbe Bluff, from which dii-ection snow showers and cold, biting winds have been coming lately. The surrounding mountains are covered with snow.

Departure —The Rev. James Curoming, who has had charge of the Presbyterians of the district for the past seven years or co, has received a call to some church near Invercargill, Mr Cumming has by his good ssuse and truly Christian conduct made himself universally icspucted both as a man and a minister. His sermons are always thoughtful, earnest, and well worth listening to. Tho district will lose a good man, and it is only to be hoped thai the change will bs for his good and the good oi those he goes to.