BALCLUTHA

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 18 August 1870, Page 5

BALCLUTHA

(From our Own Correspondent.) Bad roads and dull times command general attention here as in other parts of Otago. The main roads to and from the Ferry were never so bad since the first settler in the district produced the

first bushel of oats or the first keg of butter. But in calculating the amount of money that has been spent in roadmaking, and the mileage of good metalled roads now in the province, the observer should pause before condemning the Government of the country. Doubtless governments and engineers are alike fallible, and so are passing critics. It is easy to say that this and that should have been done, and that and the other left undone, but which of us can say by a retrospective view of our own personal history that all our actions were judiciously devised and economically executed. For my own part 1 think Otago has done much in facilitating modes of transit and communication, and that past and present Governments deserve the thanks of all. I hear with pleasure that Captain Tall is likely ere long to resume his occupation on the waters, and that the whistle of the "Tuapeka" will soon be heard at Balclutha. The settlers by the river, and particularly on Inchclutha, have missed the steamer much, and have been considerable losers by her temporary stoppage— it being impossible, with any degree of safety, to remove any produce either to Dunedin or Balclutha. In general news I have very little to report. The volunteer movement holds rather quiet. The Property Investment Company have had numerous applications for the office of secretary, but the fortunate one is not yet known. The Meat Preserving Company stands suspended. A concert was given by our Choral Union in the schoolhouse last Friday, when the attendance was uncomfortably large. The programme was a long and well-assorted one, but suitability of building was universally condemned. I observed that our local correspondent for the " Bruce Standard " has taken umbrage at some remarks I made in my last letter. lam not sorry for his cause of offence, and I think the notice he has deigned to give the subject may help to remove the cause of my complaint. However vague and ungramatical my communications may appear to my learned friend, he knows well enough that there are evils so plain that they require plain dealing, while others again demand quite a different treatment. I noticed in the Dunedin " Times " the other day that a Total Abstinence Society is in course of formation at Balclutha. I have not heard of it yet, but I hope it may be true.