INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 193, 19 October 1871, Page 6

INVERCARGILL.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.) Octob r oi i.

As the weather is such an important matter to farmers, miners, &c., I commence with this subject. After the finest harvest season I have seen here, we had a mild winter ; but in the end of A ugust it set in stormy, and continued so till the middle of September. We had then a fine dry week, and sowing and barrowinuj wove pushed forward. Since that, it has been cold and showery, and there is still a good area to sow. More heat would also be desirable to bring away the grass, as the older settled districts are rather overstocked, and fat cattle are scarce ; more inland, I believe, they have had an earlier and better seed time, and we generally get more rain near the coast.

The Meat Preserving Company, at Woodlands, has been of benefit in affording a market for stock, and circulating mouey in the district ; but, on the other hand, the waggons employed in carting the preserved meats, <&c, to town, have completely destroyed the East Road. Last year this road was in good order, and would have borne the farmer's traffic for years with very small outlay for maintenance, but the five and six ton loads ■went right through gravel metal, and formation. A meeting was held at the Bridge Inn to-day to consider the state of the road. It was not very well attended, and little of practical value was done. When farmers could be so blind to their interests ' as to elect a representative who had no stake in the district, and who, in his action with reference to the Hundreds Act, had so materially assisted to plunder the land fund, from which roads should be made, they deserve to have no roads — but unfortunately the innoceut suffer with the guilty. Holding democratic principles, I should be glad to see my fellow settlers worthy of the privileges they possess ; but, I am sorry to say, many of them are selfish and ignorant, with no spirit of co-operation or fellow-feeling. I am pleased to pereeiv^ from the TqaejSkx Times that the miners are. rriore alive to the value of self-govern-menfe-amf'association, and I think they should take some of their representatives to task for supporting increased compensation to ru.nholders,

There has been a falling off in the influence of the Elections Committee, ;hat was so successful in returning supporters of Mr. Macandrew at the last election. On Mr. Lumsden's return to Invercargill, he was taken to task for having voted on some occasions with the Reid party ; however, in addressing his constituents, he had the meeting with him, and he has broken off from the clique.

At the Municipal elections, the Macandrew party put forth all their strength to get in Mr. Mitchell, Chairman of the Committee, as Mayor, but they were beaten, 'and Mr. Wood was elected. Out of the eight Councillors, they only got in one.

A few Chinamen are finding their way down here, and a meeting was held to consider the Chinese question. I hear some of the gentlemen expected to address the meeting did not put in an appearance, and caused a hitch in the proceedings.

Farm produce continues yearly to fall in price, but without corresponding reduction in commodities purchased by farmers. Some expect gi*en.t things from the construction of our promised railways, but so little formation will be required that they are not likely to give much employment. If we had the luck to get a good goldfield, I think it would do no more good.