BALCLUTHA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 189, 21 September 1871, Page 3

BALCLUTHA.

(From a Correspondent.)

This place appears to approach an interesting if not tui exciting crisis. Re.cently we ha_ve had hotelkeepers", some retiring into private life, others changing their nvsidences and places of business ; wd had' bakers, tired and weary, departing in peace from 'ataong us, and others determining to pound' no more loaves for the present on the, s<?ene of their past labours. Bakers £pve come and gone ; their presence vanishing almost simul-

taneously with the knowledge of their existence being known in our midst. Temperance, Total Abstinence meetings, and Permissive Bill meetings have followed in close succession, when the usual resolutions were proposed and unanimously carried. A Total • Abstinence Society is now fairly inaugurated, and with our worthy Mayor as President, assisted by the two local ministers, and a roll of over two hundred' members, it should certainly prosper. Our Mutual Improvement Association meets regularly once a fortnight, and the meetings are largely attended by the inhabitants ; the membership roll is not yery large,' but gradually increasing. Trade is not extra brisk, as produce is dull of sale, Oats are very plentiful, but the price, Is9d, does not encourage the farmers either to cultivate or sell. Potatoes are nominally 35s per ton, but no demand, while wheat, though realising a fair price, is scarcely saleable. Great expectations were formed from the Clutha Railway, but it is now extremely doubtful if the present contract will much augment the district revenue ; but with bread at 9d the 4-lb. loaf ; butter, lOd per lb. ; eggs, 7d per dozen, and bacon, 7d per lb., the labourers could live well and cheap.

The old steamer Tuapeka drags along the river occasionally as of yore. The Clutha is laid aside, and the water carriages as uncertain as heretofore.

I will add more in your next issue if your space permits.