HERRIOT.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 182, 4 January 1878, Page 3

HERRIOT.

♦ . — '■ Orom our own correspondent.] Having lately made a tour through the settlements in these parts, I was much pleased to witness the rapid progress being made It is apparent that a thorough sj'stem is adopted by the settlers in connection with their various operations. The properties are being very carefully laid < iff, and good substantial farm steadings are now being built. I believe a better laid off or better managed settlement is not to' be found in < Itago. . The late rain has much improved the crops, whicli now are all looking well and promise an abundant harvest, which shortly will be commenced. The only drawback here is tlie want of a. railway, so as to form a permanent outlet and a cheap and speedy mode of transit for the produce grown in the district. . The importance of the settlement deserves this accoirimodation , and from the energy, enterprise, and self-reliant mode of procedure j adopted by the inhabitants, there can be j ho doubt that the question ol railway com- ! miinication is only one as to time. i Another important want is a flour*mill, at Swift creek, wdiere a reserve has. been set apart for.it. -The spot is central for all the settlements north of Tapanui, and now thdt both soil and climate are/proved to be all that are desired for tyheat growing, it is to be hoped some speculator will take advantage of the fine opening and commence business as flour miller. There would be ample demand for the flour from Lawrence, Tapanui) Switzers. etc. The road from Diinrobin to Rae's junction has recently been repaired, and is now in better condition than it has been: for the past nine years. This is pf great benefit to the settlers,; and it is to lie hoped the County Council will' place surface men pernianently upon the.. road, so that.it may never again fall into its former neglected-oondition. *My opinion is that the district js now .fully .ripe for -establishing a Road Board, As a matter "of ' course, ih so young a settlement many of the inhabitants are. completely^ isolated j,- and especially; , in : winter have Ao Serviceable roads., tp , their '{ pro- ; :/. While the County Council may. ho. .doubt attend to the main arterial. roads^ thare are many. local: roads^ which can be. b*dst attended, to by a Road Board/, and works would be. carried bnt chiefly under j tlie eye of the members; resident on tlfel spot. For want pfsm^l.buttingsi.culverts^ etc.-,- manyrset^ long circuits vtot^^fw^ ; Wliereas-a yery^ let them get tty-^ mfiiii; rbads.v o.^ "Rpad • Boards /-'^

benefit of them every day,- and therefoi^-v^ v/ould contribute with better grace; v ;ll I believe our postmaster '■■ at. DunrohJr* ||p has for two years, performed the duties o?;^ liis office free of charge. He has gone -t(V;4|| considerable expense in procuring th& -ff fittings neeeasaryfor a post office, and coa^- -f^ sidering the of work he now liaa to do I think it is high time he Were paid 1 if| for it, ■ -^ 'JL.IL_ '?■"■' ■■' ! ' ''^ -i«i