MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2169, 7 February 1881, Page 2

MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

Tbe Hons. Major Atkinson and B. Oliver returned to Dunedin on Tuesday night (February let). During their brief brief trip to the South on their way to Invercargill they stopped one night at Baiclutha, inspecting the protective works above the town, and the railway embankment through which it is proposed to open additional outlet* for the flood water for the protection of InchOlutha. They also proceeded to Edendale, and thence drove to Wyndham, where they were met by the Hon. Dr. Monties, Mr John Cargill, and several other gentlemen. Their object was to inspect the rival routes for the Edendale to Toi-Tois railway. This involved a good deal of hard riding, and the Minister for Public Works seamed favorably impressed with the line which is advocated by the settlers as the rival of the engineer’s route. On their return to Edendale a telegram summoned thorn to a banquet at Invercargill that night. The day following the banquet was spent in visiting the public institutions of Invercargill and receiving numerous deputations. Afterwards Ministers left for Riverton, and travelled over the route of the Eiverton-Orepuki railway, visiting the ocal mine at Orepuki, and the shale deposit which produces, according to Dr. Black’s analysis, 41 gallons crude oil per ton. Then they visited Elbow, and down the Waimea Plains line to Gore, “and so homo.” We, “Otago Daily Times,” understand Major Atkinson expressed himself as both delighted and astonished with the signs of settlement and progress he had witnessed, and the general character of the country. The harvest prospects he regards as excellent. Such visits as these from our Northern fellow colonists tend to open their eyes, and to promote a more kindly feeling between North and South. Ministers wore everywhere most kindly and cordially received, Invercargill being no exception, the “boo-hoo” demonstration notwithstanding.