MARUIMATO.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 24, Issue 1227, 1 June 1893, Page 3

MARUIMATO.

(From Que Q\vs Correspondent.)

M aruimato, May 26. We are at last having some genial weather here and king frost has made Ins appearance, followed by sunny days—a delightful change, after the long continued foas and drizzle, which has enveloped not only the central part of Otago but the greater part of this Island for many weeks past. Little of importance has taken place in Maruimato and Wedderburn during the four months of my absence, except the auction stock sale, which took place recently at Caldwell's Yards. Though some doubts were entertained by many as to the probable success of the Wedderburn as a centre for live stock -sales, tho immense number of sheep (somewhere about 25,000) that were driven there from various districts—including several lots of cattle—the roads being blocked for some considerable distanee on both sides—has proved beyond a doubt that future sales will be a success.

Large quantities of grain are being sent away from here almost daily by waggon to Dunback, en routs for Dunedio, and some to Cromwell and Queenstown, where a great scarcity exists at the present time in the grain supply, especially oats. The Southland oat crop has also been a failure this season, through the long continued drought experienced there ; and Central Otac;o will have no difficulty in disposing of its surplus grain 5n these centres, although the expense of cartage from here by waggon is too great to allow much margin to the farmer, and clearly shows the grcp.t need of the railway Wing constructed so as to tap the Maniototo Plains. I really believe that the completion of the central line as far as Taieri Lake is not very far distant, judging by the enthusiastic meetings which have recently taken place, and the large number of influential supporters the line has in Dunclin, which place it- would greatly benefit, and from Central Otago also—many from the most distant parts of the interior arc unanimous in agreethat this line lias become an absolute necessity. 1 think therefore the matter will noB he allowed to rest until the line lias readied a paying point on the plain.