WAITAHUNA

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 12, 2 May 1868, Page 3

WAITAHUNA

(From our Own Correspondent). Some one has compared certain speculative philosophers to men who employ themselves in lowering buckets into empty wells, and drawing them up again. I think the similie aptly applies to a newspaper correspondent writing, as I do, with no news to communicate. Even of the stock subject the weather, I can scarcely say anything definite. A farmer would call it beautiful ; just the weather needed in order to make the best of a late harvest ; while a digger sauntering about in enforced idleness, would say that it is by far too fine, and wish for a fall of rain or snow to replenish the races, dams, and pockets of himself and his comperes. Now, however, that farmers have got their crops under " thack aud rape," safe from the accidents of weather, some rain to moisten the soil and make it easier for ploughing and breaking would not be unacceptable ; while the many miners who have been idle for the last eight or nine weeks nearly half their time, would be again enabled to resume full work. The road from the Round Hill is being vigorously pushed forward. It is now completed as far as Mr. Duff's Hotel ; and in a few weeks more the residents at the upper end of the Flat will have the convenience of a good dray track, instead of the dangerous foot track which is at present in use. Better late than never ; though one cannot help regretting that the read had not been made five or six years ago, when there were nearly twice as many thousands as there are now hundreds to benefit by it. Now that winter is setting in, and a good fire becomes indispensible, it w_ould be well if something were done to make the various patches of timber in the neighborhood more accessible. At present, all the firewood used in Waitahuna is light manuka, procured from Smith's run, a distance of nine or ten miles ; and even at this distance it is getting difficult to procure. There are two or three pieces ot heavy bush considerably nearer, from which, by the outlay of a small sum in improving the roads, firewood of much superior quality to that we now get could be procured. I see the Government has assisted the people of other districts in making bush roads ; and I have no doubt would do so in this case also. The contract for the erection of school buildings has been let to Messrs. M'Latchie and Johnstone, of Tokomairiro. There were six or seven tenderers from Tuapeka and Tokomairiro. The contract price is £504, being nearly £40 lower than any of the other tenders. A petition was some two or three weeks ago sent to the Government, complaining of the delay and inconvenience arising from the long intervals between the visits of the Warden, and praying that a resident officer should be appointed. In answer, the petitioners are informed that considerable changes in the administration of the Goldfields are contemplated, in fact, only await the sanction of the General Government to be immediately carried into effect, and that these changes will remove the evils complained of. It is to be hoped that such will prove to be the case ; though few of the petitioners are very sanguine of such a result.