COUNTRY NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3645, 28 October 1874, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

[From our Exchanges.) t r Hallenstein io progressing very slowly. Tbe fracture is likely 'to lead to a stiff joint at the ankle. Rupholders in Southland declare that the lambing will be the worst for years past, and ceitamly the numbers of dead lambs seen in a day’s ride (over any of the runs justifies the fear that this gloomy prognostication may prove only too correct. F rrners complain that they cannot get in the Seed, and that some which has been sown has had to take the chance of growing without the usual process of harrowing. Another hitch has occurred in the making of tbe approaches to Arthur’s Point Bridge! On the 22nd, while Mr W. Powoll, Inspector of Works in the district, was attending the Keui.lent Magistrate’s Court, Queenstown, as a witness in the case of the* workmen v. P. H. M'Ardeil, and Mr E. Sl'Caffrey, inspector of masonry works at the bridge in question, was also attending the Coart, the

working plant was removed. This evidently means the abandonment of the contract, for by its terras all working plant placed upon tbe ground becomes the property of the Government for the time being. The Government have two courses o; en before them : to forfeit the security—about Lloo— terminate tbe contract, and call for fresh teudeis; t e other is to complete ihe contract at tko risk and expense of the contractor.

At a meeting of tbe Railway and Immigration Committee, hold at the Council Hall, Invercargill, on Wednesday evening, the annual report of the CommLtte was road, and the following resolutions passed That the attention tf the Colonial Government be again directed to the dilatory progress of the Mathura and Invercargill railway works, which ii inflicting serious loss, and causing great ine-nvenience to tbe community generally, and the committee, would suggest that the Government should either offer a bonus (as elsewhere) for its early completion, or impose a heavy penalty on the contractor for any delay beyond the contract time. That this committee Jhavc learnxl that that .portion of the Mataura line of railway between Woodlands and the Edendale Gutting is nearly completed, earnestly request the Government to arrange for the same being opened for traffic at the earliest date practicable. That in view of the great importance that the line of railway connectiugj Kingston with the Bluff Harbour be completed as early |as possible, the Government be respectfully urged to take advantage of the approaching favorable season for outdoor work, by calling for tenders for the last extension of the same as soon as practicable. That the Government be urged to invite tenders without further delay for the erection of public buildings at Invercargill. That the committee deeply regrets that the instructions of the |bon. the Brema^er of direct immigration to Bluff Harbor have not been carried out, and that notwithstanding his promise that a vessel with immigrants would be sent to the Bluff every six weeks, only two ships have yet arrived, although other districts of inferior absorbing powers are in receipt of continual direct shipments ot immigrants. It is therefore resolved that the attention of the Minister of Immigration and Pro'iacial authorities be immediately drawn to the injustice with a view to its removal It was rtsolved that a copy of the last resolution be forwarded to the Hon. Mr Vogel, to Loudsn and Melbourne respectively.