HERIOT HUNDRED.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 149, 18 May 1877, Page 6

HERIOT HUNDRED.

Tfrom our own correspondent.] I am gratified to be able to state that the cause of settlement still continues to progress favourably in this quarter. Every additional step on the part of the settlers only testifies to the suitability of the soil and climate for agricultural operations, and our prospects seem the brighter and our hopes the higher. It has often been said of the inhabitants of particular districts that they have a great future before them. I believe that, Avith ordinary industry and perseverance, the setters who have taken up their abode here Avill have no cause to regret the step. I am glad to state that we have now got a threshing-mill in the district — Mr Waugh's mill, from Moa Tlat, which does v its Avork with the greatest satisfaction. So far as threshing has yet gone, the yield is something wonderful, and beyond all expectation. Who could have expected to have 60 bushels to the acre after the first furrow ? Yet such is the average here. The quality also is first-class. A few have sold at 5s 6d per bushel. This is uoav fully proved to be a splendid Avheat groAving district. My wheat turned out 60 bushels to the acre all over, and only once ploughed. This is a somewhat different return to the former one, of a sheep to the acre ! Our neAv school is noAV almost completed. This will supply a great want, and Avill prove a valuable institution amongst us, for I believe, judging of the [ class of settlers here, the duty of givinotheir children a good education will not be overlooked. We Avill noAV alpo be able to have divine service in the schoolroom on Sundays. At present Aye are preparing for a soiree and ball as an opening celebration. Just imagine all tliis progress in a district which until this year may almost be said to have been an unknown Avilderness ! I hear a petition has been got up and is noAV being taken round the Heriot and Tapanui Hundreds for signature, asking the County Council to form a neAv road from the foot of the big hill on the LaAvrence road near Dunrobin, to join the Tapanui road at Mr Cameron's farm. The great majority of the settlers are much opposed to the road — so I am told — as in their opinion it Avill not prove boneficial to the district. The formation of the Gorge road that has already been surveyed Avould benefit all, and would give satisfaction to all. Were it opened up we Avould have roads on both sides of the settlement. I am told that a counter-peti-tion is being signed in favour of the Gorge road. My idea is that neither of the roads should be made. Let us have a new County, and take action to have a railway formed from Waipahi via Tapanui to Roxburgh. Then we would progress in the right direction, and do good to ourselves and also to our neighbours in the interior. I would advise those settlers j who are noAV agitating for the two neAv roads rather to turn their attention to having the present roads kept in proper repair. If they have a difficulty in getting to the main road, why not ask the Council to assist them to have the roads put into a passable state ? I really consider that Aye are in no Avay badly off for roads — that is to say, were the present roads kept in proper repair. When an eight-horse portable engine and threshingmill can be taken to and traverse the district, I should say the necessity for new roads is not very urgent. It is too much to expect that we should at once have the most convenient and fully formed roads in every district before it is Avell "settled upon. Many of the old and jto_w-we]l-to-do settlers throughout Otago have had to put up for many years with much worse roads than we.already have, and made but very few complaints upon the subject.; I would -therefore urge the settlers in this district to" have patience and be reasonable in their demands ; let them have but few wants, and these will all in good time be 3iipplied. In the meantime the chief want is the railway to which I have referred, md I trust the members of Assembly will jive the ...matter their attention during lext session,