INCH CLUTHA.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 7, 20 August 1874, Page 3

INCH CLUTHA.

(From a Correspondent.')

In your first issue your drew the attention of correspondents to various topics of interest on which you would be glad to receive contributions, especially-those relative to the wants and requirements of the districts adjoining Balclutha. It is in connection with this topic I trespass on your space. Perhaps , you are not cognizant of the fact that-the settlers of the mainland and Jnch Clutha are subjected to great loss and inconvenience by the precarious and unsatisfactory manner in which their produce is conveyed to market during the present and previous seasons by the remarkably low state of the river. Steam navigation was brought to a stand-still for a great length of time, and who knows but in time to come this same obstruction may increase ten fold. I may state an instance that occurred last year, showing how settlers are sometimes disappointed in removing their produce to market. A farmer carted a considerable quantity of grain for shipment to a certain point on the river bank, at the time the river was receding very rapidly. Through some inadvertence the 81 earner did not come at the appointed time, consequently the whole had to be recarted a considerable distance where a sufficient depth of water was obtainable; of course the farmer had to bear all the trouble and extra work, without any remuneration. Annually farmers are heavy losers by the dilatory manner in which produce at the present time is forwarded to Dunedin markets. The settlers of the mainland will soon have redress on this point. The speed witii which railway undertakings move along, clearly indicate tint trains will soon be in motion for town, which will place them in an independent position, as far as water carriage is concerned. What are the Island farmers to do by the present mode of conveyance ? It must be the next thing to an utter impossibility that their produce can find satisfactory and speedy access to the railway station. The most expedient and practicable way by which this can be attained is by the erec'ion of a bridge at the junction of the roads, within a few chains of the railway station. It is patent to every observant individual that without the accommodation of a bridge at this point the advancing prosperity of the district will be very much retarded, and the traffic to the line will be immensely diminished. It is a well known fact that this is the richest agricultural land in the Province. As yet its resources are only in the infancy of development. Very .extensive improvements will be effected withia a few years by having a suitable bridge that would enable farmers to command ready access to the railway station: an impetus would be given to all branches of agriculture, that could not fail to bring this district forward as one of tbe main feeders t of the railway enterprise. When viewed in this light, it is worthy the favorable Considerati.n of our legislators. When railways are constructed at such a great outlay, and when completed, for the maintenance thereof is it not a duty devolving upon our Government to provide and facilitate such means and measures as will be calculated to introduce and'maintain an extensive railnay traffic. Being now favored by the establishment of a local organ among us, it is to be hoped that through its medium the disadvantages the Island farmers nave to contend with will be ventilated and advocated.