MAEREWHENUA.
(From our own correspondent.) A public meeting was held here on the 10th inst. Mr. Thomas Smith was voted to the Chair. The Chairman of the local Association explained the object of the meeting to be, lie believed, the consideration of several matters of interest. He might mention the necessity of an enquiry as to whether itfwas true, as alleged, that the mail bags, were being opened some ten miles from Livingstone. The Association were in total ignorance as to any authority having been obtained for such an act. The post office was a great privilege whether looked at from a social or pecuniary point of view, and its integrity should be respected. He also thought it his duty to call public attention to Mr. Haughton's visit to the Goldfields of Otago. Much benefit would arise if a truthful report were laid before the Government. He would strongly advise the miners to attract Mr. Haughton to the Maerewhenua field. Such a visit might lead to the resources of the goldfield being developed. A further local matter requiring consideration was the opening of land under deferred payments, or as an agricultural lease block. He thought the Association should have taken the question up. In not doing so they had been indifferent to their own interests. Five blocks of 1000 acres each, by way of encouragement, might be opened. If this were done the laud would be very speedily taken up. Mining property would be increased in value, rather than. depreciated, were the land chosen in suitable localities. A sum of money was voted last session on the Pass road, which was not being expended. While the weather was good the a ork should be pushed. Roadmen were ac present in the neighborhood, working for the Government. Mr. Thomas proposed the meeting be adjourned until Ist March, in order that a larger attendance might be secured. After some little altercation the motion for adjournment was carried. Harvesting operations are in full swing. The crops are splendid. Oats offering freely at Is. 6d. per bushel. Mining operations are healthy. Most of the claims are yielding steady returns. Some uncertainty exists as to the proclamation of the river for mining purposes. The Awamoko Eailway is still uncompleted for passenger traffic. The line is again being taken up, and the rails relayed. It strikes me as the most temporarily constructed line I over saw, and the culverts are in keeping with the line. About sixty men were busy when I passed, some lifting the rails, and others turning and relaying them. Luggage is being conveyed, but there is no place of safety to put the goods when they arrive at Maerewhenua,'so they are put out at the oiviiurs risk. Farming operations are being car-
ried out on a large scale on Borton and M'Master's property. Over 100 horses bare been ploughing for some months. It is expected that about 7000 acres .will be put down in crop next season. The land is of the best description. It is sublet on the usual terras—two crops to be taken out, and left in grass. It is to be hoped that aland tax will be imposed sufficiently high to induce large holders to sell or lo let their parcels in smaller farms; If such a block as Borton and M'Master's were to be cut up r into farms, from 300 to 500 acres in extent, it would be a splendid district. As it is at present, we need no further schools or churches. There is absolutely nothing to raise the social feeling in man.
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Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 364, 25 February 1876, Page 3
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597MAEREWHENUA. Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 364, 25 February 1876, Page 3
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