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Marlborough Press, Volume XIV, Issue 835, 15 January 1873, Page 4

The correspondent of the Grey River Argus writes The crops throughout the Grey Valley wear a most promising appearance. About the middle of the last month the prospects of the fanners looked very gloomy, but the little rain which fell at that time ivas the salvation of the season’s yield. There is a great quantity of new land under cultivation this year, and this will, in a measure, compensate for the decreasing yield from the old cropped ground, which has been giving smaller returns for the last three seasons, notwithstanding the application of artificial remedies in the form of patent manures. The general appearance of the agricultural districts taken throughout indicates an early and healthy but light harvest. The Auckland correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, referring to the conduct of public works in Auckland, says : -‘-People here talx a great deal of the Brogden contracts in this Province, and of the enormous loss which they represent. Cutting that cost only Is 3d per yard on the Waikato railway, even in the dear times, when it was begun, is said to be charged at 2s 3d in Brogden’s specifications. Culverts included in the contracts, and other works of the same kind, when found to be unnecessary, can only be dispensed with, or their cost in any way reduced, by allowing Brogden’s firm 10 per cent on the difference of cost or on the saving effected. Such are the statements current respecting these contracts, so far as this Province is concerned. They are corroborated by facts, for even the sub-contracts are being let and re-let until a fourth man is actually doing the work in some cases, while two others are drawing a share of the profits as well as Brogdens themselves. This accounts for the enormous difference in the cost between it and the . Kaipara line. The latter undertaking of the Provincial Government cost only £2500 per mile. The Waikato line, of the same guage, and with few greater natural difficulties, will cost at least £BSOO per mile.