STRATH TAIERI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 August 1880, Page 14

STRATH TAIERI.

(FBOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 23rd. At the publiomeeting heldlately inDunedin to protest' against the abandonment of the " Central railway/ several of the speakers evidently manifested a tendency to drift into exaggeration when speaking about the extent of available agricultural land in the Strath' TaienL True, it is a pretty little valley, but thefaot must not be lost sight of that a large extent of it-is already in private hands, and the remainder an '* educational endowment," which oompriies about 10,000 acres of flat land, about two thirds of which may be termed good agricultural land. It is a pity that the public are so often misled by those who should know better. I do not mean to say that miiatatements are wilfully made, but their statements are often very far astray. If they ascertained the state of the case themselves, and did not rely upon reports, such statements would never be made. By those reports the publio are led to believe that there is land now available for purohase in the Sfcrath-Taierl. Suoh is not the oase, nor trill be for two or three years to come, and not then, unless the educational reserve be gold. The construction of the railway as far w'the Button Stream wm strongly advo. Dated at the same meeting, so m to tap the gsMth..Taieri f but like « full o«ik when

tapped, it will require a vent, and a pretty lone one, too, in the shape of a metalled road to Hyde, distant about 20 mileß from the Sutton Stream. The line should certainly be made aa far as Hyde, as the construction and maintenance would not be so expensive as a metalled road. I hear there is to be a eoiree and concert held in the schoolhouse on the 17th of September. Strenuous exertions aro being made to make the affair a suooess, and as the ladies have taken the matter in hand, suoacss is an absolute certainty. There is another matter which I wish to bring before the residents of the Strath — namely, the establishing of a publio library. Now that we have a aohoolhouse, where the books could be kept, and I feel almost sure the teacher would act as librarian and see that the books were kept In proper repair, perhaps the School Committee might take the affair in hand, and if they do so it will bo an accomplished fact bafore long. I strongly urge the establishing of the library, »b aothtng has such a humanleing effect on tho young as reading good books. I trust our farmers will show a lifctle more spirit next ploughing season, and get up a ploughing match. I believe a goodly number of ploughs could be brought on to the ground, and some good ploughmen as well. Cosmclerable damage was caused by the high wind here last week. Several stacks of grain were destroyed, and damage was also done to some house*).

Tl*e residents should go in for tree planting to proteob themselves from the high winds, which are very strong here at times.