ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 749, 13 November 1867, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

o WB DO NOT IDENTITY OUBSELVES IK ANY WAY WITH THE OPINIONS EXPBESSED BY OV» COEHESPONI>ENXS. SWIMMING- BATHS. (TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOTJTHIiAND TIMES.) Sir, — Now as we have a Eailway between Invercargill and the Bluff, and that the Ocean has been brought' I may say almost to our doors, I have often wondered that there has not been a good Swimming Bath established at the Bluff ; for I think the Bluff to be as good a bathing-place as anywhere I have seen in New Zealand. Now, Sir, if there was such a thing as a Swimming Bath established at the Bluff, it would be a great inducement to take advantage of the cheap trips, and of enjoying our holidays, and I have no doubt that such an establishment would pay well. I would also I suggest that a road should be made to the top of the Bluff hill for the pleasure of the visiting community. Now Mr Editor, bathing, even as an exercise and an amusement, is desirable ; but I take it upon higher grounds, for 1 need hardly j say that it promotes cleanliness, health, and comfort, and it therefore promotes happiness. And if it is true, as has been stated in old times, that cleanliness is next to godliness, we may hope that by establishing a good Swimming Bath at the Bluff it would indirectly tend to promote the morals and good conduct of the inhabitants at large. In fact, I would like to see every boy in the province have the opportunity of bathing, and think it ought to be made a part of his education. I am &c. Bathes. Invercargill November 11th, 1867.

(TO THE KDITOB OB 1 THE SOXTTHXAITO TIMES.) . Sib, — At the last sitting of the Provincial Council, Captain Howell contradicted Doctor Monckton, the member for Longwood, in his statement on his motion for getting money voted to repair the track between Kiverton and Orepuki. Speaking from memory, what the Doctor said was to the effect that the boating communication between Biverton and Orepuki could not be depended upon in consequence of contrary winds, and no harbors for boats to land the groods. Captain Howell, in replying, stated that sueb. was not the case, as he (Capt. H.) knew of two good boat harbors, where they could land at any time. So much for the two gentlemen's statements. Now, Sir, let facts speak for them- ! selves. The boats have over and over again | been see approaching Orepuki Bay, and to all appearance within a £ew minutes of landing their goods, when they have I had to turn round and run back to Riverton. This has occured often. Now I contend if we were so blessed with boat harbors as Capt. Howell states, such would not be the case. As a further proof, the diggings, are at present almost without everything, and we have had three boats loaded in Riverton for the diggings for this month past which can't get away, and the weather this morning is as uncertain as ever, in fact' one of our business men, Mr T. Mayor, has shut shop and gone down to town for a spell, as he had absolutely nothing in the place for sale or to give away ; and I expect if this weather holds a week or two longer the diggers will be positively starved out. Prom personal observation here we diggers give Dr Monckton the best of the argument. "We likewise think that Capt. Howell might go a little | further. He has already made a statement that we won't believe unless he makes his assertion good by publicly intimating where those boat harbors are. Hoping to be excused, on behalf of the mining community, for trespassing to such length on your valuable space. I beg to subscribe. — Sours, &c. i . A Mestee. Orepuki, 9th Nov., 1867.