TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 May 1874, Page 5

TAPANUI.

(From a Correspondent.) ,

This rising township has made rapid strides during the last twelve months towards establishing itself as one of the leading upcountry townships in Otago, which at no distant date it is likely to become. Though not a mining district, it possesses in its extensive timber trade an industry that brings in more steady returns to those employed than ere obtained in gold mining.'' The first saw mill erected in Tapanui was Mr. Patterson's, and it is the only one in Tapanui worked by water power. During the last few months several improvements of an important nature liave been made at this mill. A tramway into the bush for getting out the logs has been laid, and a large portion of the old fluming pulled down and rebuilt/ The mill at the Manse Bush has recently changed hands, Mr. M/Farlane senior, having made a transfer of it to his sons. Mr. Perry's mill, which was only erected some twelve months ago, had to be shifted -from the Manse Bush to down below the Victoria mills, on account of the owner having built it upon private property, belonging to Mr. Cameron of Fassifern. The mill will, however, shortly be at wo.-k again at its new site. The Victoria mills, situate about two miles from the township of Tapanui. were burnt to the ground sbout two months ago. The proprietors have, however, gone bo energetically to work that by the time this article appears in print the saws will be again in motion. This mill was previously a very* complete one, and capable of turning out an immense quantity of timber, and it is the intention of the proprietors, now they are rebuilding, to have Machinery of the most modern description. Two new machines for sash and door making, morticing, &c., have been obtained direct from America. The planeing machinery, although considerably damaged by the late fire, has been renovated, and is now fit for use. Timber will be immediately cut and seasoned ready for making up next spring into doors, •ashes, and architrar.es. Mr. John M'Farlane's -mill is the farthest from the township, and is complete in every way, and puts through large quantities of timber during the year. Some Bix weeks ago the price of the sawn article was raised from Bs. to 10b. per hundred feet. The "rise -was a necessary one, as far as the mill ownors were concerned." Wages have increased, and the new regulations compelling the mill owners to purchase the bush lana has caused a considerable increase in their

expenditure. The additional 2s. will barely compensate them for the outlay, and there is. a probability that ere long

the price will again have to be increased. Nearly the whole of the timber is carted by bullock drays. Freight has been at a high rate this last season, consequently proprietors of teams are enjoying some of the benefits of the great Public Works scheme. They need to make hay whilst the sun shines, as they will shortly have to make way for some more rapid means of transit. During the past summer the Government have considerably improved tho road leading from Tapanui to Clinton. Near Capt. Mackenzie's ford, on the Pomahaka, two bridges have been built, crossing swampy creeks that were hitherto almost impassable, and for some distance along the flat the road has been formed and gravelled with good rough gravel, abundance of which exists in the neighborhood. There is but little doubt existing in the minds of practical men that it would be far cheaper and more advantageous to make the promised line of rail from Waipahee at once than to spend some thousands of pounds on the road and to make the railway afterwards. The line is really essential for the opening up of the country; and should the Government throw open the land in large blocks for settlement, of which there are thousands of acres in the vicinity equal to the Tokomairiro plain, they will find plenty of carriage to make the construction of a line of railway a reproductive work. Any one questioning the value of the land in that district should visit Mr. Logan's stack yard, at Greenvale Station, and see for themselves the quaUty and yield that a paddock on the banks of the Pomahaka can produce, and this is only a moderate specimen of r the immense quantity of good corn-growing' land in the vicinity of Tapanui. The majority of the runs in that neighborhood are fit for settlement. On Ardmore Flat the soil is equal to that of the Taieri Plain, whilst) on M'lntyre's, M'Nab's, Capt. Boyd'B, Ibbotson's, Logan's, Poynters, and. M'Kellar's the larger portion of the land is of a superior quality, and fit for farming purposes ; especially so if the farms were surveyed as they are in Victoria at the present time, according to the quantity of the land — say, of poor land 640 acres, and of a better sort half that quantity. This measure, if carried into effect by the Government, would soon populate the Tapanui district with a most desirable class of people, and add naturally to the prosperity of the province.