BALCLUTHA.

Evening Star, Issue 3907, 1 September 1875, Page 3

BALCLUTHA.

(From our own, Correspondent.) Balclutha, August 30, Since Saturday last the only theme of public attention has been the opening of the line of railway from the metropolis here. Cur local paper —the ‘ Clutha Leader ’ —announced in its last issue that the lino would positively be opened on the first pros. On the faith of this intimation, a special meeting of our Town Council was called for Friday night, when it was settled to have a spread on Wednesday, and that the Corporation bear the expense; special invitations to be sent to the leading Government officials, contractors, &c., but that those of our townspeople who attended were to pay. It, however, soon came to light that our Town Councillors were not the only parties who were about to provide for the wants and requirements of those who visited the Clutha upon the above day in question : the contractors and others were about to do the same. They therefore amalgamated and thus the spread may be looked forward to with satisfaction that it will be Al.

The present terminus is about half-a-mile down the river, from the north end of the bridge, and conveyances are to be in attendance for the convenience of our guests. Mr G. E, Reid baa also, with his usual kindly assistance, placed the Balclutha steamer at the disposal of the Government and the excursionists, to convey them from the stopping point to our city. Many of your readers no doubt who have not seen the Molyneux river at this .junction will wonder when they hear of the midge being so far away from the other or present bridge—which is comparatively a new one—therefore a word or so may he necessary to explain the reason.

All of your readers will know that in railway formation herein Otago, engineering difficulties are very numerous, owing to the very hilly nature of the formation of Otago's unpererust, hence the cause of the Clujbha Railway bridge being so much lower down the river than the bridge for ordinary traffic. Had the line across the river parallel to the present bridge, been adopted for the railway bridge, it would have necessitated tunnelling almost all the way from Lovell’s Plat, a distance of eight or nino miles, whereas by deviating about half a mile in the bridge site an almost level course was obtained for the formation, and another important object attained—the line will do considerably less damage to the township of Balclutha, and cost very considerably less re land compensation. I have spoken of the railway bridge as though it was an established fact. The terminus at present is the nearest approach by rail to where the bridge is to be, “but is not” at present. The contractors—Messrs Watson Bros., of Milton—having failed to complete even one abutment of the bridge, it has become necessary on the part of the Government to again call for tenders for the said erection. It seems a pity to see the grand cylinders standing idle, only waiting to be put together, set into their places, and sunk by means of the pneumatic apparatus or otherwise. I observe tenders close for the second contracting for the bridge early in September, and it is to be hoped that the next contractors will make uo miscalculation in tendering, as it is supposed that the late contractors did.

While speaking of railways you will no doubt be surprised to hear that the Kaitangata line of formation is about finished. This augurs well for Mr Jerusalem Smyth’s management, for it certainly is not many weeks since Sir J, L. C. Richardson turned the first sod; and another remarkable feature in connection with this line is that two-thirds of it has been formed by Chinamen. It is expected that it will be in full swing before the New Year.

This company, viz., the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company, is opening another coal pit at Kaitangata, to which the line will run direct By boring there they have discovered a seam of coal from 17ft to 27ft thick, which can be by driving in place of sinking, Once this line in complete there is not the slightest doubt but that the Kaitangata coal will goon gain sufficient repute to make it a household favorite in Dunedin. Its ready burning qualities, together with its cleanliness, will soon make it a favorite. Chimneys do not require sweeping more than once in twelve months at most where tins coal is used.

The Tokomairiro Valley railway does not seem to be of such vital importance in the eyes of the public (the district newspaper proprietor excepted) as to warrant them in launching out their cash for its formation. No doubt they are fully aware of the very inferior nature of their coal to that of Kaitangata, and consider that discretion is [the better part of valor. They have a seam of coal in their district, though, which is daily gaining public favor. It is Messrs White and Finch’s, of South Tokoxnairiro. This seam has been allowed, to rest quiet, probably waiting the railway completion, wnen, bv judicious advertising, it: will come into its share of use, no doubt.

I hear of a considerable number of new projects being contemplated now we are about united with Dunedin by rail, but to mention any as yet may be_ construed into breaking faith, or perhaps be injurious to those who are contemplating them ; I will therefore refrain from saying anything further in reference to them at present. 1 cannot say much about farming operations during the past three weeks. Through the inclement weather little has been done outside, but there has been a considerable urea of land abcady sown, and still more is ready for tho seed. Fanners seem pretty well advanced with their work this season.