OTAGO. [From the Otago News, March 9.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 485, 27 March 1850, Page 2

OTAGO. [From the Otago News, March 9.]

The New Zealand Company are employing men in opening a seam of coal at Saddle Hill, a few tons of which are to be sent on board the Acheron steamer for trial. The road is completed to within about two miles of the opened seam, and a dray may, without much difficulty, bring a small return load from thence to the main road ; so that, should the report be favourable, we shall possibly see a company immediately formed for working the coal and supplying the inhabitants at about £2 per ton. The quality of the coal is considerably improved since we saw the first specimen'; but properly to judge if -it is worth the expense of working, a shaft should be sunk for twenty or thirty feet at ouce, and not the mere surface coal allowed to be sent for trial, which ii what the Company's officers are now doing. We understand that the preparatory works of Port Cooper are at a stand still for want of the necessary funds. The expenditure has been very great, even beyond, we believe, the sum allowed by the New Zealand Company. About one- half of the survey hit been completed, and the road from the port town to the interior is in a state of forwardness. Whether the present stoppage will interfere with the departure of emigrants from England to Port Cooper, it is impossible to say, as we do not possess the entree, of the " secret council chamber." The Lady Clarke is expected to arrive at this port from Sydney about the beginning of April. If the passage is favourable she will land about 1500 maiden ewes, 60 heifers, 40 working bullocks, and a number of heavy draught mares ; a cargo both valuable and well assorted for the wants of the market. Roads. — The inhabitants of Dunedin need not flatter themaelves with the belief that tht New Zealand Company, through their Agent, will expend any money on repairing the roads, or making them more passable for the ensuing winter than they were during last winter. We have before urged the duty of doing something for Rattray-streetj and clearing tnt drains in Princes-street, but without effect. The settlors, therefore, had better trust to themselves, and by joint subscriptions endeavour to make a raised continuous pathway wherever the houses are near together. Now is the time ; a month or six weeks hence will be too late to do it either cheaply or with" advantage. The original land-purchaser may fancy that he has paid already for road-mar! king ; but he cannot expect a macadamised road to run through the numerous streets of the town for the fractional part of £30 for each property.