District Notes

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 6, 12 May 1894, Page 3

District Notes

T ISBUM. (By Our Special Reporter.) On the 24th of April, between 12 and 4 o’clock p.m., a terrible gale blew over the Seaward Bush, during which a great many trees were blown down, and branches were falling thick and fast. While the gale lasted it was unsafe in the bush for either man or beast. Partly-cleared forest, where a number of large trees have been left standing, is the most dangerous, as the wind has full play on the trunk and branches, the latter breaking off and coming to the ground with great force. Woe betide any atom of life that receives the weight of or is hit by any falling timber. It is well for the forest —and also the settlers living in it—that these fierce gales are not very frequent. The want of a shelter-shed and small platform at the Seaward Bush siding is very much complained of locally, and not without cause, as there is often a number of passengers awaiting the train exposed to the rain and wind, as it may happen to be at the time, and when the train draws up they have to climb into the carriages as best they can. The railway authorities have several times been applied to, but without the slightest effect. Had we a “ bishop ” or an “ honourable ” using the siding, it is more than probable that a platform and siding would not be among the wants of the people in Seaward Bush. The fine brick buildings at the Tisbury siding, known as the bacon-cur-ing factory, are not yet working. It is to be regretted that such spacious and handy premises should be unused. The Waimatua sawmill has been closed down for some time past, the bush having been worked out, and this has reduced the timber traffic on the Seaward Bush railway.

The Railway Commissioners have granted the proprietors of the Excelsior Sawmill a level crossing for the purpose of getting logs to the mill. This is as it should he, and fits in with the principle of making traffic for the .More mills mean more population, and that is what creates traffic, and without paying traffic the railways would very soon become a poor colonial asset. Application was made to <the late Commissioners to lay a crossing here for the benefit of a number of working settlers. It was refused —for what reason it would be difficult for anyone outside the late Board of Commissioners to say. The railway was but little used, only a Wednesday and Saturday train, therefore heavy and continuous train traffic could hardly be ui-ged as a sufficient reason. The officers of the department made a bold attempt to prosecute one or two poor men for carrying their firewood across the line. For this offence —if such it could be called —they were summoned to court, but the Bench failed to see the alleged trespass in the same light as the officials, and the “ persecution ” fell through. However, let us be thankful for the change in the personnel of the Railway Board. It has come at length, and, so far, seems to promise well in the interests of industry and population. It is one of the changes made by the px-esent Government in the interests of the people at large. One of the oldest and most respected settlers in the bush died in the Southland Hospital on the 13th April. Denis O’Brien settled in the Seaward Bush in 1883. He was a man liked by all who knew him, and of singular truthfulness and honesty. Death resulted from that fell disease —cancer —that would appear to be so common. He has passed int© the great ocean beyond —a Christian in thought, word and deed. May 3rd.