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Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 381, 30 June 1876, Page 3

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(From our own correspondent.) June 27. Shall I say there is nothing worth noticing here ? Of course you know the Taieri will never be set on fire by the people of this ilk. But at the same time be assured that they are not forgetful of their own interests to such an extent as the letter of your correspondent "Agriculturist," which appeared in your last issue, would seem to imply. They know well that they Mere entitled to 3000 acres of ground, oil' Mr. Main's runs—and they did not fail to ask for it. Nor did you, sir, fail to advocate their right to get it; nor did Mr. de Lautour, the District Member, forget to urge their legitimate chum over and over again, upon the consideration of the Provincial magnates ; nor did your humble correspondent neglect to lift up his voice, " many times and o(t," in connection therewith; nor did even the Progres" Committee display lassitude or unthoroughness in throwing the weight of their influence into the scale to secure so serviceable a boon for the "land desirers." But, alas, all impotent; for the Provincial Secretary, aciing for the Government, plainly says that at present no more than 2000 acres shall be made available for ocenpation. Let us peaceably accept the inevitable, so far as it goes. But let us also remember that its mission is fulfilled when the 2000 acres are tenanted. Then, never mind the trouble it may give to the survey servants —their duty is to obey orders. If it can he clearly shown that more landisVanted in the interests of settlement, let it be energetically asked for. Bear in mind that 1 am not averse to the thorough throwing

open of the lands of the Province to 7)ona 'fide occupation, but I must certainly be assured that " Agriculturist " is tangible, and not mythical, ere I allow mischiefmaking communications to pass unnoticed. Let him R.I.P. The poor "Progress Committee" —well, Heaven help them in the main ! They must not be too severely criticised, for " gloomy winter's not yet awa." And shall men flee in the face of Providence, or what they deem its Colonial representatives ? " Glide sake, sirs, we aro na sic heathens." But who shall say fifty homesteads are less productive of benefit to the Colony generally, and to humanity, with the superlative degree, than one " Sir Fleeee'em," ten sheep dogs, and three pastorally-crooked servants ? Ah me ! the surveyors hare come. Their instructions are to measure out 2)00 acres. It would appear, so far as I can learn, that Mr. Main and the Provincial Government didn't agree about the exchange of the pre-emptive right. Main holds his little lot still adjoining the township reserve, and I suppose refused to be comforted by the Provincial Secretary. No prevision lias yet been made for a road through the 2000-acre block, only in so far as Main's pre-emptive right, and a little beyond that, extends. I think intending settlers should bestir themselves and see that a suitable and properly accessible means of communication through the block is provided by the survej'. Already I have heard that the existing line of road, so far as it goes, necessitates for frontage exigencies the curtailment of some sections into 100 acre areas. This perhaps will some way or other militate again.'vt each individual applicant getting a 200 acre allotment.

I have been inclined to think, from the fact of seeing Mr. Coddlem, the Colonial Architect, here twice within the last two months, a week on each occasion, that the General Government at last had resolved to erect lure that greatly desiderated building the Court House, i'or which purpose a sum of money was voted last session of the Representative Assembly. I dare say, though, my surmise is an incorrect one, as the Progress Committee has yet had no reply to its many communications thercamnt to the General Government, and doubtless our modern Vitruvius is only disporting himself anion git us during the open pheasant season.'. I hope that before it closes he will be able to report at least upon the suitability of some part of Hyde for a site i'or so necessary a publit-'edifice. The weather lately has been thoroughly winter, but not till needed, mining being much retarded by insufficiency of water supply. Frost, however, has again set in, and more snow and rain arc yet required.