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ALEXANDRA

{From a Correspondent.) ; i The holidays being over our little town has rMumed its wonton quiet appearance. The ; miners have settled down, again to work with * r water enough to satisfy the most' selfish, and no doubt in due time the escorts from this place will prove that as yet we have not fully developed our resources, or, at all events, they are not exhausted. With those engaged in farming, prospects are not so encouraging. Reports are continually reaching here from Speargrass Flat, "Wai KeriJteri Valley, Tiger Hill, Blacks, and - Blackston Hill, of the almost complete 'failure of the oat crop this year, and I am quite certain that as a whole the districts above mentioned will not yield one half the number of bushels as last year. " The only erop>,that looks at all promising is potatoes. The showers we have been having lately, ' tended materially to improve the surface appearance. It must be understood, however, that- there a few very passable patches of corn ; I am speaking of the crop as whole, and I am of opinion, should horse feed sell high this year in Dunedin that the horses in this district will suffer equally with the farmer. This

state of things is generally accounted for by - the severe winter and late spring, there being no growth in the ground at the time we got a few showers. The prevaling high winds of September and October, took more moisturo out of the ground than the jays of the sun. There is a notice posted on the notice board outaide the Library Hall offering one pound reward to anyone who will giVe the Library Committee information as to who made so free as to take a newspaper from the Library, and posted it addressed to Mrs John Hardel Fifeshire, Scotland. It was a " Southern Mercury," bearing date 24th Dec, 1874. It came to light by the delinquent exposing in the folding of the paper the Library stamp, which was detected by the postmaster ; he being accquainted with the rules of the institution, gave the committee the information, and I trust the person whoever he may be will me t his or her due reward.

For the last ten days our municipal authorities have all been up in arms, running hither and thither, consulting each other at every available corner, giving orders, countermanding the same, and at last, almost by force, compelling the contractors for the ferry approaches to desist work, at least from the spot at which they were carrying on operations ; and all this ferment and consternation because the contractors dared to carry on the ■work in accordance with the plan and specifications under which they tendered ; further, those very plans and specifications were lodged with the Mayor and advertised to bo seen by anyone for nearly a month prior to the day named as the last day for receving tenders. All this time neither the Mayor nor any individual member of the Council saw anything wrong, or perhaps never troubled themselves even to look. It would appear at first sight that the only thing wanted was Government money to be spent in our midst (further on I will give my own opinion on this point.) The reason for all this hubbub is, that the new road is being constructed too near one of the councillors' stable door. I am quite sure that most of your readers will conclude that I am having a little quiet chaff at the Council's expense, but I can assure them it is nothing of the sort ; as chronicled it took place ; and further than that, the .engineer was telegraphed for from Cromwell to come down post haste, which he goodnaturedly did. His arrival being made known, the Major and Council formed themselves into a deputation, and escorted the engineer to the -ground, and pointed out their grievances (aome of them being more forcible than polite) . The contractors also had a grievance, Jiaving been subjected to all sorts of annoyance, being ordered to do this, that and the other, and being informed that the work was being carried on within the municipality, and that the Council would not have the town deformed by anyone, &c. The upshot of the whole was that the engineer informed the Mayor, councillors, and contractors that the "work was being carried on under Government, who had to pay the piper, and that it must be done as per plan and specifications under which the tender was accepted, otherwise it would be unfair to other contractors if only about one-half the quantity of stuff was to be shifted on which their calculations were based. lam of opinion the engineer acted as he should do, and not be wooed over by soft voices, as per " sand road," which is a standing joke against Mr. Busybody. Now for my opinion on this work. In the first place I consider it so much money thrown away — in fact, worse, more particularly as far as the ratepayers are concerned. By this work being constructed two reads are completely blocked up, viz., the present main road to the ferry (on which the money should have been spent), and a street running parallel with Tarbert-streetj the cuttings abreast of those places being from seven to nine feet deep ; and as soon as this work is completed the Council will be called on to open up these i roads for traffic. Further, lam quite certain the originators of this present work were actuated by no better motives than the diverting of the traffic the whole length of Tarbertstreet, and to get money spent in the place ; ' and I challenge anyone to deny I am right. For the future I would advise the "powers that be" to thoroughly understand what they are doing before committing themselves so far as not to be able to rectify a mistake ; and in ' concluding, I would inform the ratepapers that for the future we will have to be taxed another sixpence in the pound to keep Tar-bert-stredt in repair, and I am quite sure When the whole of the traffic lias to travel over it, another sixpence will be required.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TT18750123.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 23 January 1875, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,029

ALEXANDRA Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 23 January 1875, Page 3

ALEXANDRA Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 23 January 1875, Page 3

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