SOUTHLAND.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2546, 15 April 1871, Page 2

SOUTHLAND.

BY A RECENT VISITOR. Permit me to encroach upon your space with a few remarks of what 1 have observed in my rambles of late. In my travels I reached the district of Southland, and was agreeably surprised to see such (pie \yeather in the ex-provipce Q “ weather notoriety.” It seems ever since that “ prodigal province ” returned to his parent, that the climate has actually changed : so much so, that a person would think that the beautiful and genial (dimate of Nelson accompanied the ex-Premier, when he visited the South. This genial good weather has had the ro suit of yielding plentiful crops to the poor struggling farmers ; I was informed by many of them that they a ver had such crops before. It seems, as it were, that there is a new era in their history, between the good weather and harvest. From what I could see and-hear, I think they arc politically upited, except a few, whom they style as “ Itcidites,” and who are considered by the Uteraltl as having no locus standi. None of the old members have been returned for the Provincial Council except Mr Bastian, and from what I have seen of those returned I consider they are all intelligent men, and above the average representation of Provincial members in New Zealand, and appear to be all supporters of Mr Macandrew and his go-a-head policy. Some of 'the old members went to the poll, but they had the misfortune of being Reiditcs, -which was nearly as bad as being Fouians ; they were all rejected on that score, along with the boundary question. Southland is a beautiful place in fine weather, especially in harvest. A person can have a drive in any direction on account of its level roads, besides a trip on their “notorious railways,” which I am afraid is a poor legacy under existing supervision. ; I believe there are more men employed daily by Government than the nom-

ber of passengers that pass to aud from Bluff and Winton. But no doubt some of our Otago friends —if not the {southern members—will inquire into these matters. The drive to 11 i vert on is a treat, as the road on the whole is very good, besides the beautiful beach ; yet they carry on their public works with greater ease than any other place that I know. I was rather amused to observe two horse-teams carrying gravel along the main street to make up some holes in the road. A person would be puzzled to make out whether they had more water than gravel. I was nearly going to suggest, if they did require water for the road, that they should carry it in barrels and the gravel by itself ; no doubt the gravel was taken from a wet place, but a practical man would let it dry before removing it. Hence one team would be as good two, but for all I know it might have been a Government stroke, which alters the case, and brings matters under the “rule of thumb. ’ On going a little farther on my way, I found thaf there could not bo a pupil of ‘‘ M acadam” constructing tbeir highways, as I observed about a quarter of a mile of a fearful rough pitching, which should have been taken up and broken to 2-inch metal; then they might dispense with the gravel and water business. By-tbe-bye, I was nearly omitting to mention the wreck of Hindu. But it is an ill wind that will not do good to somebody. The people got a good winter’s supply of the finest teas in the market; no doubt John Chinaman can revive even,the damaged tea into good flavor, which may be useful to them on the Eiverton diggings. The people of Invercargill are trying to form that dying town into a municipality, but I am informed that they are divided amongst themselves. There are two tribes, _as it were, the ■ Macandvewites and the lleiciites : each party has its body of aldermen and councillors with their supposed Mayors, ready for action. But there is a stumbling block in their way, in the shape of a debt owing to Messrs Campbell and llobertson for years, bearing interest it is supposed, and till that is paid, they do not like to put themselves forward in the van, for fear of prosecution. I understand that the in ,st of the townspeople are direct from home, aud know but very little of municipal forms ; but there are a few that spent a few years in Victoria, who take a very active part in the movement, such as Air Sayers, who would make a very good town clerk, if not a Mayor, had he the necessary qualification for the latter office. As Ido not wish to make my name public, I shall subscribe myself \ XSITOR.