INVERCARGILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 197, 9 November 1871, Page 5

INVERCARGILL.

(From our mm Correspondent.)

October 30th, 1871.

October has been a backward month for agriculturists and graziers.. The first three weeks were very stormy and wet ; horses stood mostly in the stable as the land was too wet to work, and cattle looked miserable, pierced with the cold winds, and drenched with the frequent showers of rain aud hail. Last week there was no rain, but the cold winds prevented vegetation making much progress ; however, farmers have been able to push on field work, and the roads have improved. Warm showers would be welcome, but it is generally cold when it rains here. The Meat Preserving Company at Woodlands has suspended operations till fat stock becomes more plentiful, or till more encouraging advices are received from the British market. Buildings are being erected near Wiuton for another Preserving Com-, pany, and it is to be hoped the demand, may increase correspondingly with increased production.

As the Winton railway has taken most of the heavy traffic off the North Road, it has been good all winter. It would be an improvement if a few more surface men were employed on the East Road, as the ruts are still awfully deep. In the comparatively newly-settled country round Winton, the climate and soil are better than round Inyercargill ; in addition to growing a considerable quantity of wheat for local consumption, since last harvest oats have been forwarded by rail and exported to "Victoria. The increased duties on grain imported into that colony'has caused a fall in the value of oats here.

The Pastoral and A gneultural Association has been better Bnpported than most institutions in Southland. In addition to the regular show, which comes off in December, a show of en* tires was held on the- 11th inst. A premium of £40 was offered on condition the winner travelled with a radiua of ten miles from Invercargill. The day was moderately fine, the- attendance fair, and' all passed . off satisfactorily, the premium being awarded to "Lord Raglan," a horse, from the Taieri. '

The members of the Town Council have commenced, well by obtaining a Clerk and Surveyor at moderate eala-

ries. It is to .be hoped the expenditure may be more judicious than has hitherto been the case witty. public money in Southland: t ~- : As frequently happens with- fires, the origin of the late rather extensive conflagration in Tay-street cannot be

clearly traced. Those who first _obs'ervedit agree in stating that fir© was Issuing from between tke boards on the" wall of the Bank of Otago— a narrow space divided the Bank from a Store which very soon afterwards caught. At the inquest, the jury returned an open verdict ; but the insurance companies suspect incendiarism, and have offered a reward of £250. I have sometimes observed magistrates led by lawyers, and if one suitor employed a lawyer, and the other did nojb, the lawyer generally carried the day. At the . inquest the Coroner did not bow down to the lawyers, but made them confine their questions and- evidence strictly to matters bearing on the origin of the fire.

Politically there ia nothing of importance stirring: A committee has been appointed to look after railway interests, and. is watching the progress of the Public Works Bill, I have Buffered so*xe loss and encountered some opposition because I supported the Reid G-overnineut, believing it was really favourable to settlement. Honest politicians are so scarce that I do not like to lose faith in any one I believe to be sucb, and I regret to learn df the recent large sale, to Mr. Clarke, lam glad to perceive from the Tuapeka Times those interested are endeavouring to prevent the completion of the' transaction, and hope they may be successful.

In my last I said a goldfield would do its . good ; by substituting "no " for "us," your compositor rather altered my meaning.