THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR LOCAL RESOURCES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1200, 27 February 1885, Page 3

THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR LOCAL RESOURCES.

: (Communicated). ! The necessity of an abundant and permanent supply of water for the Duustau Fiat is only too evident, especially at this time of the year. Such a supply is needed for irrigation, mining, domestic and sanitary purposes. It has been seen over and over again that on the flat, wherever water can be got, the crops of grass, hay, and fruit are most excellent. It is also known that gold exists in many parts of the river banks and on the flat. This is a subject that ought now to occupy the attention of the settlers hereabouts, if the diati 1 it is ever to be anything bat a barren waste.. la the coarse of a few yeais, if all goes well, the railway will be at our doors, and it would be much better to be getting things in order against that time. Fruit trees, planted this year or in the next year or so, would come in handy when the railway is opened ; and so would, grass paddocks and comfortable gardens. But in getting this great improvement and vital necessity for future progress and prosperity, there must be prompt, united, and persevering action taken. It is ho nse for one part to go in for its own little water supply. This is a work on which the prosperity (of the towns of Alexandra and Clyde and the whole Dunstan district will greatly depend, and immediate notion and co-operation ought to be taken. The townships, the county, and the general government ought to assist in a work of this kind, which would be of immense benefit for settlement, and provide homes and industries for hundreds of people, be sides furnishing a good and abundant snpply of fruits for the local markets of Otago. Meetings should be held, the assistance and conoperation of local bodies, the member for the district and of the Government should be solicited and action taken at once. A Government agent only the other day spoke highly of the climate and district for the growth of mulberry trees and other fraits, though this is a fact well known for many a year. Something shonld be done, and at once. It only requires a beginning, _ but it will never come to anything for this generation unless such action is at once taken with earnestness, determination, and pluck to face the difficulties in the way until a work that will yet confer untold blessings upon this district, is successfully completed.

It has been said that he who makes a blade of corn grow where none grew before, is a benefactor to his race. Much grea'er will be the honour and the reward to those who shall inaugurate and carry out a work that will convert a whole barren land into a blooming orchard and provide labour and means of subsistence for hundreds of settlers. Let ns hope there is still some public spirit left that will take action in getting the report of one or two practical engineers os to the best and most feasible means of accomplishing such a work ; and also the probable cost of the same. Were such an undertaking completed, instead of dullness,depression, and want of population we should soon see prosperity, industry, and activity, and a large influx of settlers in the district.