SERPENTINE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 257, 6 February 1874, Page 2

SERPENTINE.

(From our own correspondent)

A good deal of interest has been taken in the visit paid by Mr. Barron to the block of ground situated at TahnahiU's, Upper Taieri, which has been 6ften pointed out as eminently adapted for agricultural settlement. It was understood that Mr. Barron was to report on the suitability of the ground for the purpose the requisitionists have in view. Your correspondent would submit to the Government, with all due deference, that they themselves who are prepared to expend their small hoards, saved from hWrd working at mining pursuits for years, should be the best judges. '-These men, it might be allowed, are not- the ones to risk what has taken such, toil, and often loss of health, to gain in a foolish and unprofitable venture; If this land is not opened, the old story will be repeated—the best and most valued of our. residents will migrate to shores where unoccupied land will not be denied to them and their families.

Ihe water supply for mining purposes was pretty fair up to Christmas. Since then, the work, has ;beon necessarily .slack. It. were to be wished that more attention coiild.be drawn tooourr r reefs. Oyer an area of ,- : about, five miles,/surface reefs indicate, by the prospects theyajford, the vicinity of some maid lead that 'skill, money, and energy would unfailingly detect:-- ■".'■•■'"■ ";■•■ ■'■■■■■ ■■■'.:- ; 'V. ■ -V J '<-;.■•

. Can nothing be done to utilisii practically the scientific talent at present—-

thanks to our member, Mr. Oliver —at the disposal of the Province, and paid for by its people, of which people even we at Serpentine, although it is too often forgotten,, are units.

The present mail service is, I am glad to say, working satisfactorily. In mining news I have not much to report. One share in a claim in Long Valley is reported to have changed hands at

The Church is proceeding well. It is to cost about £IOO, to be raised by subscription. ;„,About. JBBO has been already:.: promised and collected, which is much to the credit of this scattered district.

', \ One more grievance, and I have done,lirefer to the blocking up of the roads at:, Messrs. Gregg and Tumbrill's station,' No doubt an alternative road is offered to | the one fenced across, but there is no indication of such a road! It. is the least' that could be done,* one-would think, if a main road—in use for years—is wired across, to put up a notice pointing out clearly the right way to strangers and I travellers.