CATLIN'S RIVER.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 37, 25 March 1875, Page 6

CATLIN'S RIVER.

Stupid postal arrangement. — Existing postal arrangements are most defective besides being calculated to interfere with the commercial progress of the place. Two mails arrive at, and depart from, the river per week. The one leaves Balclutha per coach for Port Molyneux on' Tuesdays, from whence it is despatched next morning, arriving at the Flat about 11 a.m. The return mail is closed immediately on arrival of ths other, the postman leaving again for Fort Molyneux punctually at noon. Residents throughout the district, which many of our readers are well aware is a scattered one, are thereby prevented from replying to their correspondents by return of post. This hasty despatch would not matter so much, were the through arrangement to Balclutha and Dunedin carried out, with equal promptitude. But that is not tbe case, Arriving at Port Molyneux early on Wednesday evening, the baps are detained there until the following Friday, when they are sent on by coach to Balclutha en route for their destination The delay in forwarding the second mail is equally vexatious. It reaches Catlin's on the Saturday's at 11, and leaves again for Port Molyneux at 12 o'clock, where it remains tntil the following Tuesday, when it is despatched upon the remainder of its journey. The mistake lies in the attempt to work this branch of the service from Port Molyneux, and that cannot be done effectively, unless the mailman resides at the river, between the departure of the one coach and the arrival of the other. To work the thing properly, the man would require to leave this, say on Friday morning, in time to catch the coach at the Port. Having delivered the outgoing bags, he would receive the incoming ones, and no unnecessary delay be experienced in forwarding them to their destinations. The matter is one, the postal authorities, ought to give attention to

Saw milling pursuits are getting along merrily. What was known as Stratford's mill has been taken over, and is now being wrought by Mr M'Pherson, late manager at Guthrie and Larnach's establishment. A number of alterations and improvements have been made, and work has now been resumed. The despute regarding Dutton's mill has not been adjusted, and the works are still idle. Messrs Guthrie and Larnach's mill is in full operation. They are turning out at the rate of 12,000 ft. of sawn timber per day.

The Main Road : — We have been asked to urge attention to the state of the road passing through the hush from Glenoamaru. Just now it could be made a good passable road for winter traffic, with the aid of two or three men for a few weeks. If on the other hand, it be allowed to go on as it is going, until the approaching winter sets in, the cost for repairing and keeping it passable will be largely increased. It is, writes our correspondent, "just one of these works or wants, to which the old Scotch adage applies with force and effect — A stitch in time saves nine."

The crops :~ The farmer's have not yet finished reaping. The season's crop is entirely confined to oats, which are chiefly cut green for the purpose of supplying bay for bullocks employed at the mills.

The Shipping Trade :— ln a late issue W6 notified that the river was entirely bare of shipping, but that an influx of return crafts was hourly expected. Towards the latter end of the week, no fewer than six arrived with one tidfe. Three of them leaded at the " big" mill ; two of them getting over the bar and away on Sunday tbe (7th inst), the other being detained till the following morning. Their destinations were — Dunedin and Waikoaaiti.

New Hotel and. Store. — Mr George Sutherland, late of Balclutha, is busily, engaged putting up a building, or rather buildings, which he intends to occupy as a general store and hotel. The latter will consist of no fewer than eleven apartments, and will supply a much needed want. The premises will be finished so as to admit of the license being issued in the month of Jane. They are situated at the junction of the Owake and Catlin's Kiver roads.

INCH CLUTHA, Weather and crops :— -Our correspondent writes— Despite the late bad weather a large amount of grain has. been! got in, in first rate condition. A great many fields are now completely stripped of their season's herbage, and otherwise the face of the conntry begins to present quite an autumunal aspect One Week ; more of > fine weather will see harvesting operations very near to a close. ' Up to the present, date the crops were never, at no time, secured in a better state. Aa to probable returns there is every prospect of the same being, completely satisfactory, that is to say, provided always,' the grain market maintains a fair remunerative figure. If that be the : tawey your farmings friends down, here, >iwill be; enabled to "lay lightly bye" upon . ; their oara. : , -* „n ,. \. '■/..,

Liqe Stock :— Fat stock has, fallen conn siderably in price, and the demand in the, meantime ia far from being lively . Of tbis : class of stock, a large supply is obtainable fromthe Island. The farmer's, however, are riot much disposed tosellat present rates, ii They are more disposed 40 wait i '. for a rise together with a■. more . active , demand.. The gracing paddocks are holding , out well. So far «s appearance go, We may calculate, upon a sufficiency; Of pasture* for some time to come. '"'' , 'threshing :— Mr Black has been thresh- . i ing at the bead of the Island for 1 some days' ;past. Having finished operations 7- that • quarter, he has now shifted-' to North iCiutba.. Messrs ; Bluet {and.!,'; Duthie'a, machine has also arrived, and was employed threshing oqt Mr T. M'Donald's oats. In all likelihood these operations 'will ' go oh '■ without intermission so long aa the weather -permits, arid the season is otherwise suitable: Short days and dull weather, is agreat drawback to work of: this : kind," jand should,- by all means, he<avoide& W/iti»;r r t wo machines at their disposal,, the Island tsßnerfshavejgQt a 1

for getting through their work quickly. Messrs Blues and Puthie having brought their machine from a considerable distance, deserve to be well patronised.