OTARIA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 207, 28 June 1878, Page 5

OTARIA.

[from a coeresbondknt.]

. We have had very changeable weather lately, and to-day (June 21) there is a few inches of snow on the ground, which very much changes the landscape and gives the ridges a Very wintery appearance. Indeed one scarcely knows his own tutu . and tussocks when they are first seen arrayed in their snowy covering. It is said that fine weather always follows the stormy, so I hope the change may soon take place. The threshing-mill is now in this district, and from what I can learn the crops are turning out very weU, talcing the stormy Btate of the weather in wliich they were harvested into account. Mr Crawford has been threshing with a one-horse-power mill at a few of the farms which are inaccessible to a larger mill, and has given general satisfaction. We had an election of members of Road Board yesterday, when the free and independent electors returned at the head of the poll their two former members— l suppose on the principle of "better ride the old broken-kneed horse you know than the untried colt." I hope they may prove the right men in the right place, as men of energy are much wanted in the Board, the roads in this district being in a most impassable state. If it were not for obliging neighbours many settlers could not get access to their farms, except by means of a balloon or some similar process.

I see from a Southland paper there is a talk of a company forming at Gore to construct a mud-punt for use in the mud about that district, the punt to be drawn by horses ; but they may think themselves highly favoured if horses can still be used. The punt might do very well here, but tho motive power would have to be altered, as it would require animals of more aquatic and slimy propensities.

From the advertisements that have appeared from time to time for clerks, engineers, &c: ? strangers v might, think the Road Board vras Tundertating ? extensive works^ but ...tlie !• truth is^th^y have hover spent one shilling -\ iirvxoajd-maMng, iand they have now ;been oyer . four months ih, . qfficoj ? :vnth? ;.;an^ ;ihconie : ; quite! sufficient to have'ename^^ ', take : a^y-tjatefgeTpf^S^Ba^j^;a,yer7 cdh-^ ; "

siderable extent, and have had ere this time aome of the most impassable portions fit for traffic. There were some contracts tendered for lately, but were rejeoted by that cautious body because they were a few pounds above their engineer's estimate and some other equally insignificant reason. But perhaps their dormant state maybe attributable to the cold weather. If so, we may expect them to come out of thoir shell in the spring. So you see, Mr Editor, when we tolerate such a Btate of things we must be a patient, peaceable, and mud-beepatterod people.