WAIKAIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1825, 12 November 1886, Page 16

WAIKAIA.

November B.— At the last meeting of the Progress Committee, the secretary was instructed to write Mr Cowan, member for the district, urging on him the necessity of getting the Government to complete our railway, and more especially to have the tenders called for the bridge across the Mataura. Now that the Government are taking over the Waimea line, there is no excuse whatever for their not going on with the work. Seven miles of formation is completed, this work be.ing done at a cost of between £4000 and £5000. It is about two years since this was done, and the longer it lies the more interest will it eat up. It is to be hoped that the farmers will agitate in the matter and not allow the Government to go to sleep. It will be a monstrous injustice to farmers who took up land here on the strength of the Government promise that tho railway should be completed if the work is not pushed on at once, and I hope the residents will leave no stone unturned to get it finished.

Cricket. — The great event of the season in local cricket circles— the match with Gore — was played at that place last Saturday, and resulted in a win for the Gore team by 22 runs. The game was a most enjoyable one, and considering the team they had to contend with, "Our Boys" did very well. The Gore team was a very strong one, having players from the townships of Pukerau and Mataura in it. For Gore, Eadie, Douglas, and Mallard, and for Waikaia, J. Maher, S. Brown, and John Thompson acquitted themselves well, J. Maher being the highest scorer, with 39 runs to his credit. Our team drove all the way to Gore, relieving their pent-up spirits by singing, vociferous cheering, &c, and notwithstanding their beating they quite enjoyed their trip.