THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3090, 14 January 1873, Page 2

THE COUNTRY.

Taieri FERnr.— Writing on Monday, our correspondent says : —Matters about the Ferry have quite a lively appearance, on account of the large contracts that are being pushed on in connection with the Southern Trunk Rai wiay. The crops are looking fine, and if this fine weather continues for another few weeks, our harvesting will soon be over. The crops in some parts of the district are being reaped. Some of the settlers near Tokomairiio coininenced harvesting about ten days ago. Portobello. —Our own correspondent writes; A meeting of the Portobello Road Board was held on the 11th inst. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, the Ranger was instructed to prosecute the owners of stray cattle on the district roads, A letter was read fro n the Government, stating that they were willing to pay the rates for the land in Block 5, Otago Peninsula, and that » bill would be brought before the Council at it» next sitting to take the land by compulsion for a road leading to said V>l< ck. A petition wail receive t from several ratepayers in the Broad Bay Sub-division, requesting the Board to open some roads that were said to be closed, but as there appeared to be a good deal of pajty spite among those interested, it was resolved that till

Clerk look out all papers in connection with the roads in dispute, and report to next meeting. Resolved that the Clerk take tbo necessary steps to close the road leading to and around Block 4. Otago Peninsula. Resolved that a number of the ratepayers in the P< rtobello and Broad Bav Subdivisions be summoned for the amount of their rates without further notice. The engineer was instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the work required to be done on the main district roads. Some of the apple and Jear trees in more than one garden in the {strict are in full bloom, with fruit on the same trees nearly full grown. Milton.- His Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen, the Misses Bowen, and suite, arrived at Milton at half-past one o’clock on Friday. They were met at the boundary of the township by his Worship the Mayor and Major Jones of the Volunteers, who preceded them to Mr Philp’s Commercial Hotel, where luncheon had been provided. Upon arrival at the hotel, the party was received by the Volunteers, who acted as a gua dof honor on the occasion. The Mayor, in the namo of the citizciw, then bade his Excellency welcome to Milton. The hotel was tastefully decorated with ferns and evergreens, and the luncheon was served in a style of elegance seldom to be witnessed in the Province. Ihe time at the disposal of the party being short, the only toasts proposed were by the chairman, ■‘The Queen and Koyal Family,” and “His Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen. In replying, his Excellency proposed “ Success to the Township of Milton,” coupled with the name of the Mayor. The Mayor then returned thanks, and proposed the health of the Superintendent, to which his Honor replied, and the party shortly after broke up. There were about 30 gentlemen present, and the agreeable demeanor of his Excellency and Lady Bowen greatly pleased every one. Three hearty cheers were given for his Excellency and Lady Bowen on entering their carriage.