HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume X, Issue 571, 19 August 1880, Page 3

HYDE.

(From our own correspondent.') Matters agricultural are, I suppose, much in the same position here that they are everywhere else, and mining, thanks to the. dry winter, is languishing, and aiding and abetting mother earth in her efforts to hold tenaciously the precious ore from the inquisitive exertions of the miner. While wo may s-afely pass over these important matters with but the meagre notice given above, there are points upon which we must dwell with more prolixity. The report of the Kailway Commissioners anent the Otago Central Railway has exorcised people here very much. The great cry for settlement in this district was mainly in consequence of the district understanding with the Government that the Otago Centralßailvray should bn proceeded with.(Jn this understanding—for it is preposterous to think that people would take up land with no market to neate a demand for their produce —some 20,000 acres of land have been taken up in and around Hyde. And now, when the settlers have just got their holdings in working order, they are crushed with tie intelligence that their work for years, and their earnings, have been laid out in vain. But I cannot think that the very partial and one-sided report of those flying mercuries will ever be supported by Government, as against the wishes of the entire population of the interior of Otago. The report of the Commissioners on the Strathtaieri should carry a great weight, when it is understood that their inspection of this really fertile valley was confined to beholding a panorama of the country from one of the many sidelings of the Rock and Pillar, at a distance of some ten miles. From this truth the Ministry would do well to accept their report upon this portion of the line cum grano salts. And now we have had a sign which we cannot mistake. The survey party engaged at Hyde has orders to discontinue their work, and proceed to town. This is an unmistakeable evidence that the construction of the line to Taieri Lake is indefinitely postponed. This is surely economy with a vengeance. Why the Government cainot see the very manifest judiciousness and economy of at least allowing the permanent survey to be prosecuted as far as the lake I cannot say ; but when the expenses of removing the party, and'then after some time reestablishing the camp here, is taken into account, it will be seen that a little more would fiaish the survey of this very important part of the line. The survey to the Taieri Lake would only take three months more to complete, and the Eough liidge would be reached in seven or eight; the whole thing meaning less than a thousand pounds. And yet our self-made-impecunious Government has not the wisdom to see the economy of this proceeding, but must needs parade its utter want of forethought by taking such a step. A petition, has been addressed to the Minister of Public Works, asking him to re-consider his decision in this matter, and allow the survey at least to be completed as far as Taieri Lake. The section from Hyde to the Lake is one of some difficulty, and when the line is in course of construction it will be necessary for its facilitation to open a section here at the same time, or previous to the sections bjing opened lower down. It is sincerely to be hoped that the petition which, as usual, emanates from the Progress Committee, will be favorably considered. Mr John Connolly, the proprietor of the Hyde Hotel, is about to enlarge the premises. He intends building a substantial stone addition, consisting of a suite of private apartments to that already commodious and respectable building. This, together with a very eligible furm recently purchased, will enable the proprietor to attend more liberally even than before to the wants of his" many parronsWe are looking forward to receive our old townsman, Mr Eamsay, from the hands of your clever JEscu'apius very shortly, and perhaps your paper will re mind him that we haven't forgotten him.-

(From an occasional correspondent.) August 16th, 1880. As your own correspondent has not sent anything to your columns from this favoured;'loc.ility for some time past, I take the liberty of sending jou a few notes. There is indeed but little news to give, but that.little I must try to chronicle as nearly as possible. Our miners are at present idle. The water supply is stopped, owing to the frost on the mountains during the last week. Ploughing is the order of the day,, and our farmers are all hard at work, breaking the ground up, and sowing the seed. M'Aualy and Mann, of the "Last Chance Coal Pit," are putting in a tunnel from the bed of the river, and are opening a splendid seam of coal, superior to anything ever yet got in this vicinity. Jhe residents of this place are not behind those of Naseby and other districts in the indignation at the report of the Eailway Commission. lam informed that Mr. T. G-. Gillies and staff have been called away from this district, and that the|survey of the line is stopped. We have now a new constable stationed at Macraes—Mr Paseoe, of Palmerston, having heen appointed, vice Mr Marshall, lhe people of this district sympathize greatly with the latter, who was a gentleman who, in the performance of his duties, united courtesy and polite- • ness with strict justice and impartiality. His dismissal |from the force has caused universal regret. Mr Paseoe appears also to be a good officer. But, as is often said, the Hydonians are a peaceful and law abiding class, and rarely indeed is the presence of a policeman necessary. I believe our lockup will stand many a day unoccupied, although we are told that the "lariiun element is strong."