UPPER TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 9

UPPER TAIERI.

(from otjr own correspondent.) January 6th. Notwithstanding the severity of the pasfi winter, and also proclamations from prognosticators that the current season would a tale unfold of loss and disaster to the squatting interest, the current season's clip shorn from the flocks in this locality has not fallen short of many of its predecessors in respect -to quantity and also quality. • Having visited several of the stations during the progress of shearing operations, 1 &m in a position to state, taking all things into consideration^ that the clip this season has turned out much better than was originally anticipated by the flock-owners. It is gratifying to add that a very high per-centage of lamba has been recorded on several of the stations; 80, 90, and 96 per cent, having in some instances been "marked" s The Maniototo County Council have merited .special notice fox the energetic manner in which they have performed their duties in respect to local expenditure. For sometime past that body have directed their attention to the matter of having the several district roads put in a proper state of repair for traffic purposes. Notably, I may mention among others; the Rock and Pillar roads, via West Taieri. During the past two months a ' great improvement has been effected in the above road to the boundary of the Maniototo County. Teamsters have no cause for complaint, so -far as the Maniototo County is concerned. It is to be regratted that the Taieri County Council have not manifested the same in* terest in the matter referred to, in respect to having having repairs effected in the Southern division of the Mountain road; Apparently that " model County " does nofc intend to expend much money in effecting improvements in the outlying' parts of the County. Teamsters complain very much of the dangerous state of the Taieri division of the road. ' The following matter having been brought

under my notice, I have deemed it advisable to make it public through the medium of the Press :— How is it; that no boat is at preaen'c available at Tannahill's crossing of the river for the conveyance of foot travellers to and from the district ? Surely sufficient time has elapsed since the flood 3 last spring for another being forthcoming to replace the one swept away by the floods. Foot passengers recently have had to wait for a period of three days before a crossing with safety could be effected. It certainly does not redound much to the ciedit of local administration, to say that a public thoroughfare should be partially " blocked " for the •want of a boat to serve as a connecting link to and from the district. lam persuaded that it is the duty of the Council to see that the matter herein stated be duly attended to.