THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3289, 4 September 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Strath Taieri.— Mining operations have been much retarded, owing to the heavy rains that have recently fallen throughout the district. Several bands of miners have announced their intention to go out prospecting in the neighborhood of the Rock and Pillar range during the ensuing season. Last season several patches of payable ground were opened up, and I have no doubt the ensuing season will wit ness similar results. The gold found in that locality is said to be very coarse and nuggetty, and of a very superior quality. Pastoral affairs are in a flourishing condition at present. Our neighbors, the Lower Taieri ites, are going into the sheep business with a vengeance ; they seem to be infected with a mania for sheep. Week after week letters are received inquiring for sheep. But our friends have a grievance, and of that I wish to speak. Loud expressions have of late been used towards the flockowners in this district, denouncing the high rates that have been charged for all classes of sheep Perhaps our friends have entirely overlooked the fact of the advanced period of the season, and also the high rates that are at present ruling in the Home market for all descriptions of wool. Again I must inform my friends of the great risk flockowners here run in the driving of their sheep to the Lower Taieri. The following illustration may not be out of place : —Last week, a mob of 500 sheep left hero for Mosgiel. The first risk to the flock was the Deep Stream. Four hours were spent before a start was effected in getting them across, and then what was the result ? Why, the shepherds had to go in up to their waists, and save the flock from being washed down the stream. A second edition of the above occurred at the Lee’s Stream. I may further add, for the information of the Mosgielites, that they need not look for any reduction in the price of sheep till those dangerous strejms are bridged. —A rumor is current here which, if true, is perfectly astounding. I have expressed doubts openly to a few friends about _ the matter, but lam assured that it is true. The great want of a bridge over the Deep Stream has long been felt, and it appears that we are going to have one erected at last; but at what oost the following will show ;—News was received here last week that a squatting firm bi this neighborhood had arranged with the Government to erect a bridge over the above stream for LSOO, payment to be made in land (Strath Taieri block). Much dissatisfaction has been expressed here against such a course of proceeding. A meeting is announced to be held to hear public opinion on the matter. It would be premature for me to comment upon it till after the meeting takes place. I cannot, however, refrain from making one or two remarks before dismissing the subject. Can it be true that the Government cannot grant us LSOO to erect a bridge for the service or good of tho public, without mortgaging a block of land to a large squatting firm ? Why not call for tenders, and give other contractors a chance to erect the bridge ? This is indeed monopoly, if it should turn oht to be true; and I may add another illustration to prove the truth of my assertion—that the Strath Taieri is slowly but surely being closed against settlement. Waikouaiti Herald.