THE CLUTHA DISTRICT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 181, 14 June 1862, Page 5

THE CLUTHA DISTRICT.

To the Editor of the DAiii Times. Sir, —I have previously called your attention to River Clutha, and its district. With respect to the steamer tendered for by Capt. E. Grant, I do not even see cue arrival of his schooner, the Melbourne, at her point of ilostinationj and ara afraid that some accident has happened to her. That the steamer will however be carried out, by one party or other, there is little doubt of; but it appears to me, that the Government take very little interest in the affaire of this part of the colony ; or, how in it that as yet no arrangement is niado as to the establishing1 the Customs at its proper place,—the township of M~olyneux at the mouth of the river, where tlis township of Kaitongata is marked out, being1 now the residence of the Collector of Customs, and the Police station; that is to say, not at the township of Kaitongata, but. on tfie government road on the river bank, at Mr. Rowland's station, some three quarters of a mile from the town, to which the access is impossible without a bridge being- made over a creek which comes out of the lakes and empties itself at this point into the North Molynenx. The roads to-this place are in such bad condition, that those who have goods here to send to the diggings, are obliged to boat them down this branch of the river, and up the South Molyneux to the ferry, at a cost of 275. Gd. per ton. From a part of the South River, called the Stockyard, goods could be conveyed to the Ferry at 103. per ton ; but Hie whole of the settlers on the Southland side of the Clutha will send their wool, and receive the goods required for their establishments, via the Molyneux, whea the road to the Jetty at that township is completed, and stores erected to receive them. are prepared. The store for tins purpose is in a fair way of being speedily put up, if a piece of laud suitable for the purpose can be obtained. If not, many who aye near eqir-JLtmt from Invercargill and the Clut! a, have expressed their determination to ship via Invercargill next year. Now, Mr. Editor, our Collector here may be a very active young man, but is not a bird, as Paddy said, to bo in two places at once, much less thrcs, viz.: Kaitongata, the Stockyard, and the Molyneux. Which of the three is he to be stationed at, that is tho query ? Common sense say 3, that point where nothing can pass up any branches of the .river without being seen by the officer of the Customs; if he is ensconced 011 either of the brandies, how can he, see what goes up the other, or the Taieri river. It was reported here that the Superintendent and the Collector of Customs were, coming to look at the locality themselves, but as far a? they will learn by their visit, it could be quite a3 wisely settled by their laying before them on the table a map of Clutha river. No doubt, these gentlemen in their younger days, have had some acquaintance with geography ; perhaps, in more advanced years, the cares and arduous duties they have had to perform may have effaced from their memory jwhat was once familiar to them ; but if they will look over the map of the whole world, and show me a river on which there are townships existing, and where the Customs are not placed at tiie first township of that river, unless, like London, it is a separate and distinct port, I would feel obliged. Were the shades of Solon and Lycurgus hovering around our legislators, they would wonder that Jupiter had not embellished their heads, as he did that of Midas. Pray, Mr. Editor, see if can instil into their Councils a little more wisdom, and a much greater portion of activity. Our Coal Mines also, want a little impetus : the Coal is found to answer, and the lessee is bound, I believe, on this being found to be the case, to work them so as to keep up a constant supply; three or four men are all that are at work, and if one vessel gets ten or twelve tons, the next has to wait a week ere she can get tea or twenty ; if the present lessee has not sufficient funds to carry out his contract, notwithstanding the liberal assistance he has received from Government, he should be compelled to give it up, or at least, not to be like the dog in J;he manger, who would neither eat the hay himself, nor let the horse eat it. Numerous capitalists would bo willing to join him, and keep the mines in regular working order, so as to be enabled to supply all demands, and some three huudred tons per week would not more • than equal the present demand. You will excuse this lengthened epistle, and I hope you will favor us with your own opinion on the subject.—l am, Sir, Your obedt.'servant, J. S. Kaitongata, River Clutha, 10th June, 13S0.