MATAURA.— Ensign.

It is understood that the immediate survey of the proposed Waikaka Railway line will be recommended shortly. At the request of the East Gore Progress Committee, a large number of trout will ere long be set free in the Waikaka stream. It ia expected that the Police station and Courthouse at Gore will be commenced at once, a telegram having been received to the effect that a tender has been Accepted. In reply to a deputation the Hon. Mr Oliver stated that £800 had been placed on the estimates for the erection of the East Gore Goodssheels, and Mr Conyers had been iustructed to proceed with the work. Operations on the Waimea railway line have been recently temporarily suspended. The new coalpits opened by Ur Pacey, near the Waikaka township are stated to contain ooal of first-clas" quality. . Mr James Elliott has been appointed chairman of the O;aria School Commit, cc. Mr James Purvis was re-elecfced tecretary and treasurer. The oats grown in South Otago and boutnlaud are said to surpass anything grown in the colony for meal- producing properties. The rabbits are said to be increasing rapidly on the Waiknka, Greenvale, and Meriuo Downs, notwithstanding strenuous efforts made t > exterminate the peets The bouse i-f Mr D. Gordon, near Pukerau, was burnt dowu on the 31st ult. Tt contained six rooms, being a two-stoiied buildup, and was insmed in the Victoria office for £150. Mr Gordon's loss over this amount ia £300. The valuator of the County Council and the Oreti Road Board valuator seem to be widely diverse iv their opinions as to the value of property. A section in Mandeville is rated by one at £2, while the other thinks that £6 the correct thing. Mr Powdrell has received a reply to the petition of the deferred pajment settlers from the Under Secretary to the effect thatas tbe Legislature has not de"lt with the question, the Government has no power to do so. la his reply to Mr Powdrell, as representing the deferred payment petitioners, the Under Secretary says :— " lam to add the hope or tne Minister of Lands that in anticipation of a good harvest this year, and the general improvement which has taken place in the aspect of agricultural and pastoral affairs lately, the settlers will have no difficulty iv meeting their engagements on account of tbe land which they have taken up. . A deputation from Waikaia, which waited upon the Hoa Mr Rolleston, and which consisted of Messrs Davis, Braithwaite, Morns and Hart, requested that the block of 20,000 acres set apart in that district as educational reserves' should be thrown open for sale. Mr Rolleston replied that the land would be advertised as open for sale in about two months, and would be disf oaed of by auction about six weeks thereafter. The terms of sale would be similar to those on tbe deferred payment system, save the power of sale which was not allowed under the new Act* In reply to a deputation from Switzers, m reference to having a bridge erected over the Mataura, between RiverEdale and Switzers, Mr Oliver said the construction of bridges was more the work of County Councils than of the Government. Mr Blair said the bridge suggested would cost about £4000 or £5000. Mr Oliver could not then say whether the Government would help the county or not, should the latter body be prepared to advance a certain amount towards the work.