TOKOMAIRIRO. (FROM THE DAILY TIMES CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 585, 14 February 1863, Page 2

TOKOMAIRIRO. (FROM THE DAILY TIMES CORRESPONDENT.)

Harvest has now fairly commenced, and the farmers are now busily employed in getting the crops down. Oats are the principal crops in this district this year, and although owing to the dry season the straw is very short the grain is well filled out, and will, I think, make a fair average yield. The wind of the last, few days has done some slight damage by shaking, but as machinery is now rapidly superseding hand labo r in harvesting, the crop is cut down so much quicker that it, is but for a comparatively short time exposed to the force of the wind. On Tuesday evening there was a most refreshing fall of rain, which continued at intervals during Wednesday. It has done an immense amount of good. The paddocks, which the extreme heat of the last few weeks have completely scorched up, are now looking quite green again. It will also do a great deal of good to the wheat crop, which was much iv want of rain to fill out the grain. The root crops have endured the great drought in a most wonderful manner, and are likely to turn out well. To them alsi the rain of Tuesday night was most acceptable

List Friday evening, Mr James Smith entertained the childnn attending the public school, at tea, at the White Hoi>e Hotel, which that gentleman has recently purchased. Upwards of 100 children were present, and enjoyed themselves ver}' much.

The District Road Board have at length held a meeting. They have been in existence now for nearly nine months, but until last week I believe they never had a meeting. This was owing to the absurd plan of advertising only in the Gazette. Shortly after the election of the Board notice "of a meeting was given in the Gazette, and the Gazette arrived in Tokomairiro some two clays after the -date on which the meeting was to have been held. Even if the Gazette had arrived in time, it is very doubtful if any of the Road Board would have seen it. However, the Board has now had a meeting ; and by way of making up ibr lost time, has resolved to impos? a rate of sixpence pL-r acre over the whole district. This, when supplemented by the Government, will give a nice little sum to be spent in improving the distiict roads ; but I expect that considerable opposition will be offered to the vote, unless it is agreed to expend it throughout the district in proportion to the amount contributed by the various portions. Talking of road' 1 , nothing has yet been done to the road over the Round Hill, between the Woolshed and Waitahuna. Surely a saving of a distance of five miles out of twenty-five is a consideration, and the only thing required to effect this saving is a cutting of a few chains in length, at the top of the hill. I hear that people interested in the road, tired of waiting for the Government to make it, are now raising funds to do it themselves. I am glad to observe that tenders are being cajled, for to metal the main road through the plain. Better late than never, yet unless the greatest expedition is used winter will compel the postponement of this most necessary work until next summer.

The election of Wardens for the three Hundreds, into which the District is divided, is announced to take place at the Couit House, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st inst, respectively. I am informed that the Waihola Hundred is to have five Wardens, instead of three a3 heretofore.

A Cricket Match by Popotunoa v. Toko-muirk-o is on the tapis, but the arrangements are not yet finally completed. Perhaps ere the sea«ou is ovei, a jsiatch between the Dune • din and Tokomairiro clubs might be arranged. The escort from the YVoolshed ( this time is upwards of 5000z., which, considering .the comparatively smail number of miners op thi3 field, is something quite wonderful. Owing, I suppose, to the f.ict that there is no regular Gold Receiver or Receiving office here, from which accurate returns of tl c amount sent«ould be obtained, the number of ounces credited to the Woqlshed, on several occasions has been considerably below the quantity actually sent. Out no occisiau there was a difference of about loOoz. Taking the >Yoolshed altogether, I believe there is no other field in the Province which has proved so generally remunerative to those employed upon it No very wonderful finds have been made there, but it has yielded a fair return to all who sought for it, and digging upon it has partaken moie of the character of a settled occupation, with a certbinty of fair remuneration to time and labor ihna of a wild gambling in a lottery, where there are .certainly a few enormously rich claims, but aho a gucg.t number of blanks. The winter will, I "fully belie\c, see tho YVoolshed once more crowded with diggers who have discovered that small returns, when certain, are better than the chance of a large return, and the certainty of very large expanses.