The clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1894.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1032, 4 May 1894, Page 5

The clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1894.

Thb first thought that strikes one in connection with Mr Blackmore's visit to the district is as to the care and considerateness evinced by the Hon. John M'Kenzie in connection with the administration of the departments under his charge. It is too often the characteristic of public men when elevated to positions of high responsibility that they concentrate their thoughts and efforts upon the accomplishment of some big thing, deeming it as altogether infra dig. thafc they should deal with anything of minor importance, — small excressences that attach to the routine of their department, or the little obstacles that prenent the complete success of the interests the department has been established to promote. It cannot be said that Mr M'Kenzie has been forgetful of large interests ; on the contrary it is well known that for many years the laige runholders, large capitalists, large estates, and other large thingshareoccupied a dve — some think an undue share of his attention. But the small settlers and their interests have certainly not been -.neglected by him. . Did they require assistance with the dairy industry : he engaged experts to instruct them in the manufacture of the produce, and appointed inspectors to see it shipped to the Home market in the best condition. Were they annoyed with the hot fly, Hessian fly, burr clover, Californian thistle, blood poisoning, or other troubles and diseases amongst their crops, or their flocks and herds,Mr M'Kenzie promptly sent them full ancl authentic informaton as to the remedies, and, if necessary, also sent a veterinary surgeon or other official to their aid. He knows that ifc is with settlers as in every clay life : success chic-fly depends on full attention beins; given to small things. Mr o o o M'Kenzie's latest favor is with reference to fruit culture. He believes that the settlers and the community generally might greatly augment their revenues, and better their position by engaging in this industry, and he has appointed an expert to visit every district of the Colony to impart information by means of lectures and otherwise on the subject, and also to give object lessons on the planting and management of trees, treatment of the fruit, etc. There can be no question that for his considerateness and prompt action in connection with all these and many other similar matters Mr M'Kenzie has well earned the gratitude of a large section of the community. — Now as to Mr Black more's lecture — is ifc to have any practical result in the Clutha 1 All who listened to the lecture were interested and pleased with it ; is the matter to end there? We hope not. Mr Blackmore showed that fruit culture is a very pleasant and profitable occupation, and one in which a very large number of the community might take part. He also showed that the many pests that attack fruifc trees could be very easily and effectively dealt with. In order, however, to cope with these pests certain materials must be procured and and prepared for use as insecticides and fungicides, and the proper apparatus must be obtained for applying these remedies. Now, if the matter be left to individual effort it is certain that very little, if anything will be done. We would suggest that the Horticultural Society should take the matter in hand, procure an approved spray pump and the necessary materials, employ some competent man to prepare and apply the. remedies wherever they may be required, the society making a charge in each case to recoup their outlay. Should the society not feel inclined to undertake this work then we suggest that a meeting of fruit growers should be called and the matter placed in the hands of a committee. This committee might also be an Arbor committee, to prepare for the work of Arbor Day, now approaching, and to take other steps to improve the amenities of our pretty little township. To accomplish all this but very little money would be required, and we should think that little would he easily raised. The Borough Council would no doubt be ready to render some assistance, either in the way of a money subsidy or by giving the services of the dayman for a short time. We are very sure that fruit culture might be promoted and that the external appearance and comfort of the township could be very much improved at very little cost. We trust that those interested, and all who have made their permanent homes here, will think over the whole matter, and be prepared to do their part to improve thtir surroundings, and thus promote the comfort and happiness of the whole community. The ob-

ject is a good one, one in which all of every class and creed can unite for the common weal, and a little enthusiasm on the part of a few would speedily brin« about the desired results. We would only add that the present is the proper season for taking action, and those interested in the matters referred to should lose no time in setting about preliminarie'-".