THE CLUTHA RIVER TRADE.

Evening Star, Issue 3801, 30 April 1875, Page 2

THE CLUTHA RIVER TRADE.

The trial trip of the Balclutha appears to have been an unqualified success. Her owners (Messrs G. F. Reid, of Duuediu, and Stewart andGow, °f Balclutha) are satisfied with her, and the people of Balclutha and the surround' mg districts convinced that she will answer admirably. On Monday lust (as ; we learn from the Leader’ and ‘Bruce Herald’) sheph)oeeded from Port Molyueux to Balclutha, and on Wednesday up the river as far .as Greenfield Station. So far as she has gone her steaming adaptability for the trade has fully realised the expectations which were entertained, regarding her by her builder, owners, and the public generally. In the awkward bends and currents she behaved admirably, and obeyed her Mm mstantaneoubly,' turning round almost on a pivot when required. Her carrying capacity is a h?o ample, and from Port Molyueux she took a cargo of about 150 tons; her draught -"ft Jhat weight, being three teet. lo celebrate the re-opening of the mer traffic, the owners of the Balclutha on iuesday evening entertained the principal wsidents of the township at dinner, autfin the course of the proceedings Captain Russell; inspecter for insurance companies, referred to the neglect with which the river had been treated th ® Government, and said it was not creditable to the Province that something had not been done to it before now. Itwas a gfeat nighway for a large traffic! and only required the removal 0 f a few snags and bars tortnder it suitable for navigation. A thousand ot two would be sufficient for the work, and he could never see how Oamani and other places should nave so very large sums expended in the erection of usdess docks and other works, while the Olutha River was neglected. He thoughtthe inhabitants of the district should press* the matter upon the attention of the Government until they got something, At the public meeting at Balclutha on TuSsday, it was resolved to recommend to the-Suner-intendent, the Mayor of Balclutha, eac oM&io, Messrs Henderson and M‘Neil,M.P.C.>s. Jahies Paterson, T. M‘Douald,Eeg Macdonald, John Macdonald. R Grigor, A. Sthwart, Barnes Smith, D. M Neil, and G. F. Reid, as suitable S arsons to be appointed members of the Clutha Aver Trust.