WOODVILLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 24

WOODVILLE.

We have actually had tea days’ fine weather, whioh, in an ordinary summer, would not be worth mentioning, but in a season such as this is a noteworthy occurrence. Settlers who have been anxiously awaiting a favorable opportunity to fire their bush have suffered so many dissapointmeats that they applied tbe match at almost the first appearance of tho sun And the result is that although a few good burns, where tbe circumstances were exceptionally favorable, arc reported, the majority of oases are only middling. Fires sprang up almost simutaneously around Woodville, and the atmosphere was decidedly unpleasant until rain set in again yesterday morning and put tbe fires out, much to the disgust of the burnersThere are still a great many hopeful people, who have not yet attempted to burn, and confidently expect dry weather yet, and it ia to be hoped they will not be disappointed, although at present appearances are decidedly unfavorable to them. Up to the present the best burns have been in the late felled bush, a circumstance new settlers inexperienced in bush clearing might do well to note. Nelson Bros., having arranged matters ro the siding have started work in real earnest. On Saturday last they engaged about fifty local hands, who started on Monday under the supervision of Mr. F. R. Duncan,' to excavate for the foundations and do other work in preparing the site of the freezng works for the buildings to be erected. This will make matters lively for us, and more than counterbalance the loss of traffic consequent on the withdrawal of tho coaches, the daily arrival of which used to oreate such a busy scene in the centre of our township. The freezing works will bring a more substantial benefitInqairers for properties now frequently stipulate that they shall bo within a certain distance of where tbe freezing works are to be erected, showing that they are quite alive to the advantage of being near such an institution.

We bidly require a reasonable alteration ia the railway time table, as the present ser vice is about as convenient as could be devised. This commumty quite appreciates the Hon, Mr. Seddon’s suggeston that the Commissioners should travel about a bit more and learn the requirements of different localities. That, I take it, is a mild way of saying that at present they are ia a state of blissful ignorance of matters which it is their duty to be thoroughly cjnversant with. Our Borough Council has just completed the construction of sewerage works whioh will bo of greht utility, and will conduce considerably to the healthiness of our borough. The Council deserve great recoommendation for their economical admin* stration of theic affairs. We have a large mileage of well made streets, good sewerage and no debt except perhaps occasionally a small overdraft at the local bank in anticipation of rates due. This is a position to boast of if we were inclined that way.