MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 411, 10 February 1877, Page 3

MAEREWHENUA.

(From our own correspondent.) I liope you will not think I hare forgotten you, but rather ascribe my siience to the contemplation of our now system of government. I confess to being surprised, and somewhat puzzled to find out the advantages we -are to gain. The meetings held here to consider the matter were sad and solemn indeed, and looked more like as if those present had met to pray over some departed friend. The general opinion seems to be that it will i-etard the progress of settlement, and give the deathblow to the expenditure of capital on the Goldfields. It only shows what a rot'en system of government we have been living under when the whole constitution of a country can be changed, and settlement be retarded or handicapped, by a, few unprincipled men, who have wished to hold office at any price. People are only beginning to get their eyes open. The opinion here is, that there is really no Ministry, and the Government is staggering on, under the hope of picking up, or being relieved by better men. - It is to be hoped the whole afiair will bo reversed next session—in fact, its heading that way already. I observe a good many of the County Councils refusing to come under the Ac ! , which shows that there is nothing to be gained. Donald Keid's conduct is considered petty and childish. Harvesting operations are in full swing here,' The crops are really splendid, but the weather has been very unsettled, and somewhat harassing for the owners. Il is a most anxious time for the farmers. It . is to be hoped it will keep fine, weather j for a few weeks. On looking at their fi io stepping horses, and the active and restless footsteps of their owners, a determination is indicated to preserve their wellearned gains. It is thought some of them will make their fortunes if the weather holds fine. At Menlove's out station tliere are 100 men busy at work. They have got nine machines going, calculated to cut 300 acres per day. There is supposed to be about 7000 acres in crop on the tables this year. There will be more next year. The accounts are good from all quarters-r-all that is required is for the weather to hold fine. ■

Mining matters are moving on much the same, a firm conviction existing as to the permanfency of the field. The great drawback is the want of water in some of the claims. We had a flood lately that did a good deal of harm. The Maerewhenua bridge was nearly gone—three inches K more would hare done it. We would have been in a fix to get a new one put up. It is a glorious thing, this local self-government, but T am afraid, when we have'to put our hands in our pockets to help lo complete the works, we will be like John Chinamen, " Me no savey." An effort is being made to get two mails a week delivered here. Mr. Roberts has beeu requested to draw up a petition for the Postmaster-General's approval and sanction. _ [We have no news from Maerewhenua since the last floods.—Ed. M.I.C.]