MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 16 October 1869, Page 3

MOUNT BENGER.

(From a Correspondent.) It is gratifying to find that our much neglected but thriving little township of Roxburgh is beginning to receive a small amount of paternal attention at the hands of the Grovernment, for I find that intimation has been made by Mr Hislop to the School Committee here that the Government are prepared to Band over a sum of £200 for the erection of a schoolmaster's residence. This building has been much needed for a considerable time past, as I regret to state that the accommodation hitherto afforded the master and his family is of the most miserable description. I hope the Government will not stop short at the step, but will redeem their long neglected promises to remove the "Warden's Camp and Police Buildings from the east side of the Molyneux to the township, as they are of little or no use where they are, and we might just as well be without police as to have our only solitary constable isolated from all civil action in the locality he at present lives in The much coveted land known as the Island Block, has been announced as open for sale, but I am given to understand that the Receiver of Revenue at Roxburgh, declines receiving applications for the purchase of it, he not having been instructed upon the matter by the G-overnmenfc. I wonder what will be the next step. Orisinally this land was nominally intended by the Grovernment for settlement, and they announced it to be open for agricultural leasing ; they next, without even hearing the applications, declined to grant them, and asserted their intention of having the Block properly tested, for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is auriferous or not ; and. now, in the most unaccountable manner, declare it open for sale, without even venturing to sink one solitary hole in it, although the boring rods have been lying at Mr Nicholson's Camp Hotel, Benger Burn, for some months past. Surely there must be some important moves making behind ■ the scenes. Is it intended, I

for the laud to be bought up by cur wealthy squatters, or was it ever intended that the parties, who have ventured to cultivate small farms on it, should be put in possession of their homesteads ? ! The erection of the new Catholic Church at Eoxburgh is now completed', and I am sure every one who has seen the building will agree with, me in saying that the contractor, Mr Henry Norton, has turned the building out of his hands in a most creditable manner. It is quite a refreshing sight to see such a neat and substantial place of worship erected in- such a comparatively speaking small community. The opening services are announced to be held on Sunday, the 24th inst.