TO DUNTROON AND THE WATERWORKS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1694, 24 September 1877, Page 2

TO DUNTROON AND THE WATERWORKS.

NO. I. Our reporter having a day or two ago made the round trip from Oamaru to Duntroon, thence back to Black Point by rail, then ce by the line of the water-race to Georgetown, thence by road to below Peebles, thence per shanks' nag to the tunnels, thence down the valley of the Boundary Creek to the main road, and thence behind a good pair of trotter* to the starting point, sends us the following notes of the journey and its incidents : — Of the ride by rail there is not much new to be written, save to mention that the Awamoko branch lino, as it is termed, is now in capital order, tho road being ns good as, with the present weight of metals, it can be made, and the running smooth and easy. On the way up, I noticed that the lambing in this district appears to have been unusually early, and remarkably good ; there boing a large proportion of double events, and I was informed en route by a fellow passenger that Mrs Fricker possesses one ewe which has no less than four healthy youngsters. 1' suppose tho latter must " take turns" at the fount of nourishment, for is there not a physiological difficulty in the way of — well, say concurrent imbibition ? I hoard an English skylark carolling its joyous song away up in the sunshine, and saw a host of pukekos rising from among the flax above Black Point ; also a fine covey, pack, or mob (whtchovor be tho correct term) of starlings, to the number of many scores, which probably build among the rocks hereabouts, in company witli the house pigeons which rendezvous there by hundreds. At the Black Point siding, a considerable quantity of graip was lying in stacks covered with tarpaulins, and the quantity of land broken up on the table lands to the left of the line (looking Dun-troon-wards) argue* two things, viz., — first, that a very large amount of grain will find its way down to this loading place this season ; and, second, that something in the shape of a goods, or rather grain-shed is urgently needed. The railway department ought to see about this without a moment s delay. Up at the Duntroon terminus I see the foundations are in for an engine shed, but a large shed for the storage of wool is wanted. The station «and its surroundings look quite lively at train times. Smith's coach, Roderick's trap, and a pretty turn-out of the Hon. K. Campbells (pair of nicely matched greys) were in waiting as our train drew up and all three (your reporter in Roderick's) were soon off down the road vo the rivorcrossing. By the by, the County Counoil deserve a little credit here, the road from the station to the fiver having been put in capital order, and a contract having been accepted for a foot-bridge across. And not a day before it was wanted, for the temporary plank crossing has been removed, and except at train times, when tho coach and trap above mentioned are available, there is only the choice of remaining on one side or the other or taking oft' your boots and wa ling ' through about 18 inches of water— the latter an impossibility for ladies or children. It is a great pity that tho railway is not taken right across into tho township, but rumor says that there is no chance of that for this Session at anyrate ; so, as the mountain (i.e., the railway) won't come to Mahomet (videlicet, tho hotel and store) Mahomet is about to go to the mountain, it being on the tapis to build a first-class hotel at a cost of L2OOO opposite the railway station, and it being further asserted that one of your leading grocery firms is about to put up a store adjacent thereto Not that Duntroon is at present at all badly off for hotel accommodation — indeed, very much the reverse, as I shall show further on — but that the distance from the station to the existing hostelries is felt to be a public inconvenience. But it is time I took your readers across into the township | j roper. It is beautifully situated, and I the littlo patches of willow plantation scattered here and there, just budding out into bright green leaf, the neat white buildings dotted over the valley and rising ground, backed by the bold outlines of the hills clad in ruwet fern or draped with the deep violet shadow* of distance, and the mow clad" peaks of

iho mountain range towering up against the btue sky and glittering In the sunshine, go to make np m pretty a picture as eye ever rested upon. The town* ship has made great progress since I last visitod it, not much more than a year ago. Some ten or a dozen cottages hare been built, two of which may lay reasonable clrfim to the more pretentious stylo of villas. * The old Mnerewhenua hotel has been largely added to, renovated, and completely transmogrified, and up at the north end a large new hotel known as the Terminus has boon erected with, on the opposite side of the road, extensive ranges of stabling. Altogether the place has a thriving appearance. But here I should like to drop Mr Barron, the active Inspector of Works of our County Council, a hint, which I hope he will accept; and proceed forthwith to carry out. It is that he should lower the grade of the road just above Mackenzie's stables, using the material to fill up the hollow opposite Smith's Post-office store, and so give a clear view of the main street from one end to the other. This would vastly im« prove the appearance of the township, and make travelling on the rood considerably easier. It would not cost much, and ought to be done, as our Amorican cousins say-, "right off." And now about the hotels. Harris* " Terminus Hotel", is a large square building (of wood), and apparently possesses a great amount of accommodation. I hadnH; the opportunity of going over it (leaving by the 8 a.m. train), but from an outside view I should judge it to be pretty comfortable quarters. It has some ten or a dozen bedrooms, and these, it would appear, are not enough, for a considerable addition in the shape of a new wing is in progress. The Maorewhenun, like every house, which has had Roderick and his wife for host and hostess, is clean, comfortable, aud well conducted; and as I stayed here, I can tell you a little more about it. There are about tho same number of bedrooms here as at the Terminus, but at a push some thirty persons could be provided with quarters for tho night. A new bar, new bedrooms and sitting rooms have beon built, and n large dining-room suitable for public banquets— indeed, the extonsive additions erected, and the improvement made in tho older portion, have so completely changed the whole aspect of the building that it is searoely recognisable by those who have not visited Duntroon for a year or so. The furniture is neat, the beds are clean —the very wall papers in good taste— and it is neediest to say the cuisine Al. lam sorry to hear though that the present host and hostess are shortly to disappear from the scene, having sold the lease for a term, it is said to Messrs Lintott and Otterson for a good round bonus and a handsome rental. I noticed agentleman from l)amaru,well-kriown in this lino of business, hovering about and I shouldn't bo suprised if 1 heard of some hunting being displayed at the Mnerewhenua some day in honor of a new landlord. If any of your town readers think of making a trip to this place— and if they want a pleasant change, I recommond them to do so, they must not forget to pay a visit to its great curiosityone of the show places of tho district. This is a cave in whioh, from the foot of tho overhanging rocks bubbles forth a stream of pure, sparkling water. Half way over the clear pool, whioh this forms in a circular cavity, is built a small brewery, beside it being a natural arch of rock under whioh you pa*s and descend by a flight ot stops cut in tho bank of tho stream to the water. Somewillowshave been planted about the spot — probably by Mr Whitmore (woll-romembod by tlia older residents of Oaniaru), who erected the building, and the tout ensemble of tho scene, would delight an artist in search of the picturesquo. Tho browory seems to be at present disusod, though there are signs of recent activity in the shape of casks of bottles standing about. Before I quit this part of my letter. I may add a word or two about tne ' ' Maori Invasion. " It would appear that tho Natives really mean squatting on Bonmore run, and I find that tho matter was brought under tho notice of the Government not only by Mr Shrimski's question in the House the other day, but prior to that In an official report to the Under- Secretary for the Native Department, for the yoar ending June 30, 1877, by tho Rev. J. W. Stack, of Kaiapoi. On turning to the Reports of Officers of Native districts recently laid upon the table of the House, you will find the following passage in Mr Stack's report :— A few weeks ago a number of Natives, under tho leadership of Tamaiharoa, their prophet, left Arowhenua for tho Upper Waitaki, carrying with thorn their famine* and all their moveahlo property. It it their intention to " squat " on any suitable pieco of laiul they cim find, and so to compel the Govornmont to grant them more land. This course of action is duo to tho failure of ivtr Taiaroa's efforts to induce the General Assembly to grant further compensation for theiands taken possession of by the Crown in the South Island. The Natives in other places aro watching this movomont with great interest, and if successful it will probably find many imitators. I saw two or three of those Natives in Duntrodh, and on making enquiries, was informed that the number referred to in Mr Stack's report Were still on Bonmore, and wore husuy engaged in ploughing mm tlie ground. They, therefore, evidently mean establishing themselves here if they can. I am told that Air Campbell, the owner of the property^ has brought the mattor under the notice of Dr PolUSh, and that tho latter has sent some instructions to Mr Parkor, R.M., on thesubjeot, and am curious to see what will be the upshot of this singular affair. (To be continued.)