OWAKA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXV, Issue 1309, 23 June 1899, Page 5

OWAKA.

[Faoar Our Own Correspondent.]

The result of the petition re railway extension will be looked forward to with expectancy by many in this district, and it merits the serious consideration of the Government in many ways. In the first instance the longer the pushing on of the line is delayed much valuable timber will be destroyed and rendered useless through fire -I A settler in clearing his land falls only the scrub and small timber, and leaves standing what he considers good milling timber ; the fire damages the standing timber and in the case of red and white pine, after a few years it becomes useless for milling purposes. Thus is destroyed a valuable asset, not only to the settler, but also to the country. Few people outside of the district have any conception of how. much timber has been destroyed here. And further, people at present have to cart their timber such a distance to the railways, that in many instances a fairly remunerative business is reduced to low water mark. It may be urged why not wait till the railway reaches the timber. We have tried that, but we are not Methusaiehs and our patience is limited, so it is simply a case of Mahomet and the mountain.

.. Another matter in connection' with the railway seems strange if notj qnjust, thai is

the railage on timber. Timber from Southland is delivered in Dunedin at a cost for railage of only one penny per 100 ft more than from here,about one half the distance. Surely there must be something wrong somewhere. However it is to be hoped that matters will be put right in the near future.

J. Connor, who was found dead at Roir.ahapa was well knawn here and bore the reputation of a quiet and inoffensive man.