BLACKS

Dunstan Times, Issue 1087, 23 February 1883, Page 3

BLACKS

From our own Comsjiumlenl. In a late issue yon gave our noi. hbonrs at Tinkers and l la Valley the straight lip aiient what would impure to be lone if they desired to have the benefit of telephone communication. Cbnneo ing lla Valley with Ophir has not as yet been much spoken of. But a line to Tinkers or Matakanui has been engaging tile attention of at least a few of the inhabita’ts, though no particular stir lias as yet been made over the matter. The farthest point it has reached as yet was being sot down as one of the wants of the district by the deputation which interviewed the first member of the governing, body which visited, or rather passed through, the district this season, and here I must plead guilty of negligence through omit ting to send you at the time au account of the deputation, so to square things a little I will do it now—better lute than never. Soon after Craig got the nags unhitched that bad been dragging along the Hon. W, W. J. for some twenty or more miles, a deputation of our leading men, and a fairly respectable one to boot, makes over to the Shammck ami got through the iutroductive ceremony in the usual way. The spokesman then intimated that they had taken the opportunity, as it was not every day they could speak to a Minister of the Crown, of laying before him some few matters which was required in the district, and first we may mention the new Couit House, whicli we have been long promised, it has figured on the estimates on more than one occasion, but it never seems to get any farther. We should feci much indebted if you could give it a lift- 1 am sorry, he sard (though he may have meant otherwise) that Court Houses are uot mmy line. All f can do for you is to note the matter and lay it before my hon. colleague, the Minister of Justice. Tile deputation, of course, thanked him, and mentioned a new Post Office being needed, but he said he was not in the Post Office line either. Then they fetched up the telephone business, but he shook his bead, indicating that they were still on the wrong track. Have you nothing on in the railway business. He looked ns if be would have said—Railways are my specialty ; thoseothersmall matters did not concern him mu<h. P- rhaps they had some particular spot in view where they would like to have the station built, or perhaps to suggest a detour of the line so as to skirt the town,"’ if so, he would have much pleasure in hearing thoir views. The fellows he was in with in the early part of their time had »at on the Otago Central. You see old Mac and Sir George was to havo it up in a few years, and of course their arrangements were bound to be altered. Fifty years was about the time we first reckoned it w..uld take to get it up this far; but since the last change in the P.W. fortfolio that has been considerably shortened. If the loans hold out there is every prospect of the Otago Central reaching here in about twenty-five yea s. Any ' suggestions, then, about whore the station should be built or other ma’ters therewith connected, he would be only too happy to leceivo The deputation felt they were cornered, but managed to stammer out their gratification at the near prospects of a railway to th ir doors., They were sorry they had nothing definite ready about the detour or the station, but they would think tlie matter over during the next twenty years, and if he the Minister—were to look them up again about that time he would find them prepared. Meantime, should old Mac get hold ’of the reins and scud it flying past before t.Tey knew, there would not be much harm done, li-iro is a fresh team waiting for you; the railway will not much beat your.rate of tiavelliug ; we may as well liquor up aud let you go. A Bright, only do not'cofile the Kuinaia dodge ; it’s no use After this -lapse of tiuie t am not going to stake my veracity on a verbatum report—at all events there is enough of it, aud lhad bettor return to the subject in hand. ’ Telephone communication with Mata--kanui would not be a very expensive matter, and ought, if fairly represente I, to bo favourably reported- on -. either by officer or Minister. By making the Matakmui school the terminus, which is the most central and suitable place, there would only be four or five miles of poles to erect, and six or seven of wire, and according to accounts, less important places are getting more expensive lines. But, as you plainly indicate, it is ft the people to move and bring their claims forward. Connecting Ida Valley is premature as yet. The drawback being there is no central or main place. When all the Deep Lead thirty acre special claims are in full swing the case may be diff rent. Operations will be soon commenced in the new company's claim on the Deep L r al, and on their prosperity depends whether the ■ tilers start or lie dormant. Harvest is now in full swing, but the wet weather has been delaying operations. Crops arc generally excellent. The steam thrashe- will be at work in a short time. The Farmers’ Club are making preparations for holding tlieir show on St. Patrick’s Day. Business is dull ; nothing startling afloat, nut even the disappearance of a harmonium. But, then, a Blacks harmonium, you say, is not of public interest.. I never thought it was; There may be a little private interest in it when it comes in the form of an advt. —and the sugar paid. That Latin subscriber ought to dub up and go in the advertising line over it. The signature, though outside the ken of ordinary folk, would i-e better than none. It is too bad to shut out “ Blacks Amenities.” You might have said to be continue I,” if there was too much for one dose. A scribe of such high repute as the writer should on no account be refua -d, even though, according to Hoyle Jennie Johnson, or some of those fellows, the way she avrites her name may have a vulgar tinge about it, yet it is always delightful lo bear her chirp.