COUNTRY NEWS.

Northern Advocate, 21 January 1915, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

(From onr ovvn correspondents.) ONERAHI. DRY BEYOND DESCRIPTION. Without undue deference to the oldest inhabitant, it is safe to describe the present as the driest season cxperiencd for very many year 3. Household' tanks are long since dry and many residents are compelled to carry water from the springs. The springs, themselves, ■in some instances ar-i showing signs of running cut and, seriously, if the drought holds much longer, it -looks as if the community would to ration itself pretty strictly, in, the matter of water. ■■•Of course, the sea' is always with us. There is : apparently no fear of arriving at the pass of the Kalgoorlie ma:.v who had to perform weekly ablutions in a.tea cup; still we don't at present luxuriate in full bath tubs. ;

The plateau of Onerahi has always

been a 'dry spot. . The peninsula, from its ve:'y nature, lends itself to a thirsty appearance. For some weeks now the-dull brown of the scorched herbage has remained unrelieved by a spot of green. It may have been to obviate, these things and prodiice a little variety that our town district authorities .decided to cut and burn the tea-tree .on the town ■ roads-.? - ■ The innovation h£s certainly produced a different aspect. The brown expanse is now ■ chequered with parallelograms of charcoal blackness where the fire -has passed. The place is now absolutely, arid. Drop a match on it, and it would "go off pop."

THE NEW ROAD. ' The contractor for the metalling of the new direct road from the plateau N

to the station, (Mr J. Ruddle) is taking full advantage of the dry spell to push things along. The rough metalling Is now complete to within a few yards of Mason's corner. This is to he blinded with a four-inch'layer of gravel, and„a footpath is to he provided. When, completed the work promises 'to bo an excellent.one. Only those who remember the winter dancers of the former precipitous zig-zag can fully appreciate the measure of future convenience of the improvement. ■ , 1?IRE SEQUELS. The stoppage of the Limestone Island works corned iv the guise of a little calamity to Onerahi. A fair percentage' of the residents were em-, ployed there and many of these have been thrown, out of work. Some have secured employment elsewhere,'' but there are 'still a fair number idle. The sudden cessation of a large industry, employing .from 100 io 150 men, cannot fail to cause disorganisation in various forms, and it is being felt in other ways than that of unemployment. It is, perhaps, going too far to say that the prospects of OnerakL.

as a town are vitally identified with those of the Portland' Cement Company, but. there is no doubt that, the close proximity of the Limestone Island works has contributed to Onerahi's past prosperity in no small measure.' I understand that nothing, so far, has been decided by' the directors of the company towards rebuilding'and reopening, but it is to bo hoped- ah affirmative decision will be arrived at with as little delay as possible. -

There Is a story anent the disaster • that is worth repeating. When th:j conflagration was at its height and a group of workmen were watching the destruction ■of the buildings, a piousminded individual described the outbreak as an "act of God." "Act of God!" shouted a stalwart Maori, '"no ploomin'fear. Act of a planky Cher- , man!" So much for Germanophobia. Even.the Maoris have got it.