BUSH NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4811, 11 January 1887, Page 2

BUSH NEWS.

[OWN COBBESPOOTENT.]

"We are now—and for several weeks past '■ have been—experiencing unusually hot and dry weather in the bush districts, which is: telling most unfavorably on the grass,'and ; crops generally, but more especially on the verdure on the hill sides. The changing of the verdant aspect of the country to a bleak V and withering brown is becoming daily more conspicuous, and ere long—if rain interpose not—the bush will bo in great danger of fire, either through accident or by the negligence or recklessness of smokers, whose inveterate habits are frequently as- ;•■ \ sociated with many destructive fires, ending ' " in the loss of life and much property. However, on the other hand, this disagreeable visitation of drought, accompanied at times with so much,disaster to the thrifty settler, has also its silver lining, inasmuch as many hundreds of acres of clearings lately made in several districts by bush-felling will soon be in a splendid condition for an excellent' . burning. The Tamaki railway contract works are - proceeding apace. The new contractors, under the cool and clear-headed (supervision of Mr G. Wratt, have already placed the :"' works in a more satisfactory and forward' state. Messrs Mullenger and Brett, with , the most of the old gangers and their respective gangs, are retained as hands in oarrying on the works, besides several fresh '?* carpenters and other hands being added. , The plate-laying work is laid down to 93 miles GO chains.

Mr Munro, the contractor for the station buildings along the line, has started with the works, which he intends pushing on vigorously, so as to be ready in contract time.

A big fire seems to be now raging near Messrs Naunstadt and Co.'s saw - mill, Tahoraite. Some rubbish close to the mill, requiring removal, was set fire to, but it turned out that those looking after it were unable to keep it within the prescribed limits, and consequently it spread out and burnt a piece of the tramway. It is to be hoped the mill will come out of the ordeal unscathed, for fire is a terrible element when once it attains tho mastery. A meeting of tho ratepayers of the Danevirko Town Board was held last week in the Board's offioo, to consider tho advisability of taking up the loan of £000—granted under the special loan act—and allocated by the Board for making and forming the streets of their town. After considerable discussion, it was unanimously agreed to adopt tho acceptance of tho loan, with the promise that the Board meanwhile may alter and amend the allocation of the expenditure of the money so that it will come within the meaning of the Act. A poll of the ratepayers will be duly taken thereupon within tho stipulated time, which will test to a certain extent whetherthe majority of the ratepayers are really anxious to see their town going ahead, by lending that little assistance which is in their power to give, and which at only a nominal cost, will in the short space of two years, advance their town to such a forward condition, whioh would, under ordinary circumstances take over a dozen 1 years, but tho poll will tell what principle is dominant with the voters—whether tho well-being and advancement of the town as a whole, or selfishnness, shortsightedness, and a pound foolish policy, ia the principle which is to rule.