SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH MAIL.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 14 April 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH MAIL.

While presenting our readers for the first time with a Summary of the month's events, it may not be uninteresting, especially to those at a distance, to say something about the place where the Oamaru Times is published. Oamaru is one of the oldest settlements in the Province of Otago, and is the Port of the wealthiest pastoral and agricultural districts iv the Province, if not the Colony. The population now number, in round numbers, a thousand, and is steadily increasing. It is situated on the spur of a range of hills shelving down to the sea and is admirably adapted for drainage. The streets are wider than those of Dunedin, the Capital of the Province, and are laid out at night angles. Many of the first houses are wood, but now they are being erected chiefly of a soft white sandstone found in the district, and so easily worked, that with an ordinary cross-cut saw it may bo fashioned into any required shape. It contains much lime and on exposure to the weather hardens. Some persons however in using it have taken the precaution of using: oil or paint in order to protect it from decay. Buildings composed of it do not cost over 15 per cent more than wooden en structures. Only two streets have yet been formed, but the people are urging the Government to place on the estimates for the present year a sufficient sum of money to form and metal other streets now requiring it. Meanwhile the levels of the town are being pushed on. The town is watered by a Creek from which it derives its name. The water, however, is not good, but by sinking even at the highest level pure water may be obtained. The public affairs of the town are managed by a Board constituted by an Ordinance of the Provincial Council, and composed of ten members elected by the rat p lyers. Hitherto it has had' little business to transact, but now, owing to the increasing -population, increased and still increasing traffic to the port, it is likely to hold a .more responsible position in the community. One very important work has just been completed under its direction, namely, the laying down of a main sewer, extending from the principal street to the sea — a distance of eight chains. But from the material of which it is composed, its extent and construction, its utility is questioned by men supposed to know something about such works. Three or four valuable blocks of land in the town have been reserved by the Government for public purposes, one of which (the Esplanade) is fenced in by the Town Board, and when laid out and planted with trees and shrubs, will add much to the beauty of the place. The taste for a better order of architectural beauty is more fuliymariifested among the people of Oamaru, than those of any other town of its size in the Province. And we are, glad to be able to say that the old gingerbread structures and the unsubstantial style so characteristic of colonial towns, is not being introduced) here. A few neat substantial buildings have been erected, and many others are in contemplation. The stores of Messrs. Shrimski and Moss, and Messrs. Traill, Roxby and Co., would do credit to the metropolis. The Court House, School House, and Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, though small, are very creditable structures. And the cottages are as a rule, neat, clean, and well finished buildings. There are three Steamers regularly trading to the port, besides a number of small coasting vessels ; but as yet we have not had vessels direct froni England, owing perhaps in a great measure to the absence of safe anchorage in the Roadstead. This, however, is a great affliction to the residents in the district, particularly to importers, in being put to an expense for the conveyance of their merchandise from vessels arriving at Port Chalmers almost equal to that incurred by bringing them out from England. It is to be hoped therefore that the matter will be remedied before long. The improvement of the Roadstead will be one of the questions brought before the Council for discussion during its present sitting. The can'ying out of this measure is the only thing that ivill open up to Oamaru the means of advancement secured to it by its geographical position.