CATLINS RIVER.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 236, 17 January 1879, Page 6

CATLINS RIVER.

[from our own correspondent.] A newspaper correspondent, ex officio, has sometimes a thankless and difficult task to perform, ancl has to compile an article from very scant stock. This week, however, " your own " is puzzled with what to begin first. I informed your readers last week that Catlins had been inundated with scholastic talent, and I have now to inform them that we havo since then been inundated, and equally honoured, with bankingtalent. A party of bankers from the Clutha, accompauied by several ladies, paid the district a visit last week-, and as" is usual when we have visitors, the rain also accompanied the visit. But in spite of this unavoidable inconvenience, I hear the visit was thoroughly enjoyed. I suspect some of them had an eye to the "securities," and I trust the passing survey proved satisfactory ancl assuring ; and I hope to see them (and as many more as are inclined) again inthe district before the winter sets in, as I am anxious They should see the place under the favourable auspices of the genial sunshine. It is also notatu di-gnnm, ancl apropos to mention here, that Mr Deans, of the Acclimatization Society, brought with him last week other visitors,- whom I trust ivill prove settlers, and who are heartily welcome. He liberated in the river Owake some 900 young trout, and very successfully he did his work, not a single mistake occurring. This is not the first time Mr Deans has been here, as two years ago he came on a similar errand, and then put about 1800 of the same fry in the same river. I have had some conversation with Mr Deans, and am led to the

conclusion that his* work is peculiarly congenial to him , and that he is a thoroughly painstaking and competent iiian ; and, in fac*, the right man in the right placo. After a cursory survey of the Oatliri, he gave it as his opinion that the river-was in every respect one of the ni-r.it suitable in the country for the deposit of young salmon. He was led to this conclusion from the many varieties of bottom that existed in the river, and from its natural facilities for salmon breeding, and such an expression coming from a man who has made such a subject his especial study, is well worthy of more than passing notice by the Acclimatization Society, ancl I trust soon to again see Mr Deans on a similar mission. Mr Deans was accompanied by another naturalist — Mr M'Kenzie, of Balclutha, an amateur and enthusiastic botanist. I believe he came chiefly to collect psecimens of ferns, an ex abundantia that grow here. His visit must have v> ell repaid him. Friday's post brought the Government acceptance of Mr Duncan M'Kenzie's tender for the mail service. At present it is not definitely known when he will start running the mails, as the railway question is still too much in embryo, but when once, there is something definite known about that, he will run them direct to and from here to Waitepeka. These public works sadly try the patience' of the Catlinites. I trust that in spite of the proverbial red-tapeism of the Government, that something may be -known (and that soon) about the much and urgently required Catlin's railway. In the meantime we must be thankful for small mercies, and a direct mail service is a small mercy that is most acceptable to the district. As tenders for the erection of telegraph poles are to be lodged before the 23rd inst., I trust local contractors will come to the front, and do their level best. The time is nearly up, and tenders should be lodged. Cartes that unless the tenders are lower than they were bofore, there is e-ery probability of the whole matter being shelved — for how long ! it is needless to ask. The Manse Building Committee met on Friday night, and tenders for the erection I of a' manse were opened, aud one accepted. This being so, T trust soon to see our worthy pastor housed comfortably ancl creditably.' The School Committee also met the same evening, and forwarded tenders for the erection of a school to Mr Pryde, Dnnedin, so that this also will be immediately put in hand. It may not be known to you, Mr Editor, and I just mention it by way of conclusion, that the Leader is not unfrequently called the " Buster " in these parts. I was informed the other night by a local politician, " That the "Buster" ' was wading in with Catlins River news. " ! On'euquiring whom the "Buster" was, ! he replied, " Why, the Leadek of course!" 1 I argued the point with him rather warmly, depreciating the vulgar epithet " Buster," but he assured me he used it in a complimentary sense, as he had always noticed that for all good pnrposes, ancl necessary reforms, tbe -Leader went in a buster. I agreed v/ith him, and felt it incumbent upon me, as belonging to its staff, to adjourn with my friend to the hotel, where we bent our elbows to the long prosperity of the" " Buster," and to the health of its editor. Voil-a tout.