MARYBOROUGH.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 332, 25 December 1860, Page 2

MARYBOROUGH.

[from oub own cobbespondent.] - Marlborough, December 17. ' I finished my last correspondence to you by regretting that the Pelorus River had not long ago a bridge over it, and since then another case of drowning has occurred there; the poor fellow leaving a wife and family to mourn over the sad. event. I remarked long ago that the Government were very shortsighted and blameable (as it often is) in spending the money it did on the road and leave the most dangerous river unbridged. Six men last winter, in less than two hours, bridged the river, and the simple erection stood for a long while. The Government, I think, had with much greater judgment kept back a hundred or two pounds of the money spent on the road and formed a footbridge, at least tor passengers, while parties riding might have driven their horses though;—one hand having gone to the opposite side to secure them as they landed. Our Government people here talked the thing over in Council, but the engineer was so busy (dear me) that he could not just then attend to it; and at present he is engaged, I am told, surveying for a line of railway to Waitohi orithe moon, I am not sure which; so that very likely another case or two of drowning will occur before any thing, more be done. . . The weather since I last wrote to you has been most pleasant and favorable; everywhere vegetation looks promising. The little hay crop we have has been cut and is both heavy and good; early potatoes are all in blossom; while barley and wheat are both fast filling and ripening. The strong north-west winds of last year about this time has disappeared; and while everything ere this month last season was suffering and scorched by drought, at present all looks green and refreshing. We have had a couple or three days very warm weather at a time, but generally at the back of it came rain and coolness. Sheep sheaving has been gpingbriskly forward for the last two months : Jb'laxbourne and one or two stations in the Awatere, as is generally the case, making the start! As you are aware, no ship has yet been laid on at Port Underwood, and consequently both at the Beaver and at Mr. H utcheson's place, wool is lying for shipment. The steamer not running this season, I expect the freight on wool will be somewhat dearer than last season, while the additional rate on home freights will tend considerably to tell on the growers. Road and bridge-making is going fast ahead with us. That wonderful Waitohi road will cost, I believe, more money than anyone dreams of, if indeed it ever be finished to answer the end in view. If they don't look sharp with it and get it in some sort of trafficabls way, the exhaustion of our waste lands or the natural death of Provincial Governments will put a barrier on it far more formidable than either the Wairau river or the Tua-marina swamps. The Government buildings are in course of erection at Picton, and by the end of February next it is thought will be ready so as to admit our government folks. , Our Council —like the fine old English gentleman —is living at home at ease, and our Superintendent at large—free and unfettered—roaming about withersoever the spirit listeth. Separation, making room for another member to the House of Representatives, Mr. Eyes has had a requisition forwarded to him asking him to allow himself to be put in nomination for the Wairau district. This step has caused some little angry feeling to rise up, and a paper war to start afresh with political partisans. Yuu can see some of their correspondence incur Press., and have your laugh over them. The frienda of our late representative, Mr. Weld, are anxious to return him for. the Wairau district. This move however is considered by some as emanating from the Government party, and of course is struck at. They point to our capital, Picton, and say it is the point of honor, and therefore the proper sphere for our old and very able representative, and that the Wairau ought to have some able and local gentleman to go up to Ramoth Gilead. This latter manifesto is, on the other hand, pronounced to savor of political jugglery; and so the two parties go on, as is generally the case, abusing each other, and trying who can spin the best story and tell the most ridiculous lies. A new place of worship, in connection with the Church of England, is about to be erected in Blenheim; and the schoolroom there is to undergo considerable improvements.