COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3253, 10 July 1872, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

(FKOH OCIt OWU COBUBBPOXD£NT.)

TriKOMAIKIKO. We may very shortly expect the arrival of many hundred* of immigrants from the home conntry, and no doubt many of them will betake themselves to the construction of the railway through the Taieri and Tokomairiro plains. I pity tlioin. Without house*, with the greatest scarcity of firewood and at exorbitant prices, and with weather approaching' in any degree to the present severity, their first experiences will not be over-encou-raging. If indignation meetings do not remit they will prove themselves! to bo a very peaceable and submissive lot of individuals. The weather here for Rome time pasthaxbeen most execrable. Talk of "blind drift"—l seldom experienced a worse than home of the-gusts we had on Saturday, or the cold more intense amongst the Grampians. There the inhabitants are always in a state of preparedness for a storm, and horses and cattle nre safely housed arid comfortably fed, bo the weather what it way. But how men can live in tents, or caUlo exist through, these stormy, wet, and frosty nights, with only a post and rail fence for shelter, I cannot conceive. Even in fairly substantial wooden buildings, with blazing fires, comfort can nut be sectircd.; The froHfc and the storm penetrate at every crevice, and neutralist every means employed to keep up a moderate temperature. Then, to step outside Is to encounter mud and '.slush— to get bespattered and frozen until on- 's clothes and temper are equally defiled and out of sorts. But enough of this subject. New Zealand weather h very changeable, and any change at present must be for the better. That's one consolation. The fountains of news—like the miners' races —-seem to be frozen or snowed up, and the supply is scarce. A farewell entertainment-was given in the Gorge School-house on Friday evening, on the occasion of the teacher, Mr Smith, leaving for Oamaru. It consisted of readings, music, &c, and afterwards dancing was commenced and kept up till five o'clock the following morning. In the course of the evening, the Chairman (Mr Gray) read an address by the School Committee to Mr Smith, expressive of their regret at parting with him, and at the same time their pleasure at his appointment to a more important sphere of usefulness. Mr Smith suitably replied. There was a good attendance, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The Railway works (Watson and Co.'s contract), which were progressing most satisfactorily, have been very much suspended during the past few weeks through the bad weather. The work is principally being done by sub-contractors, who seom to be satisfied with the prices, and able with fair weather to make fair wages. There is as yet but little excitement here as to the forthcoming mayoral tion. The present Mayor having intimated his intention of retmng. Councillor. Duncan is the only candidate in the field. Others are spoken of, and that a kaein contest will take pkee is certain. ~ A meeting of the Committee of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club wo* held in the Council Chambers,' Milton, on Friday evening, when the accounts in connection with the recent ploughing match wore ;passed, and it was found the funds collected by the various members of Coml.tmttee were ample to meet all demands! The Committee had under consideration the necessity which existed for the adop-/ tion of drainage operations throiighout the country. The following petition to the House of Representatives upon the subject was adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to take the necessary measures for getting the same signed :— To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of tho House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of ..Otago respectfully sheweth, that whereas your petitioners arc convinced that great good will result to the Colony from the Government aiding private enterprise by advances of money upon the principle adopted so beneficially by the Impe ial Government in the Drainage Acts, for the drainage and permanent improvement of land, and for encouraging such undertakings of a permanent and legitimate character as will be likely to dcvelope the great natural resources, of the Colony. And that for thispurpose your honourable House may be graciously pleased to pasß a Bill similar to that introduced by the member for Bruce during last session. And your petitioners will ever pray. ( . .