ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1854, 3 June 1887, Page 18

ROXBURGH.

May 30. — The weather is now fairly setting in for winter, frosty nights being pretty common. We have had some rain, and the hills are white topped, though on the whole we have little to complain of.

Improvejients. — Of late one familiar topic has run its course — the bridge has been finished, decorated, and formally christened, a full account of the ceremony having already appeared in the columns of the Witness. The punt has been broken up and sold, and the traffic is now confined to the bridge. It is certainly a great convenience, especially, perhaps, for the residents at Roxburgh East. The new school is in great measure completed, and proves a very handsome building. Most of the carpentry work is finished, and the "plastering is going on steadily. It will be, in every way, a vast improvement on the old building. The committee intend to celebrate the opening by a service of song, to be given by the children, aided by local amateurs.

Mining Matters. — Mining is of course still our chief industry, and the claims all seem pretty busy, though no startling finds are reported. If the Government could see their way to a remission of the gold duty ib would be a great boon to some of us. We have heard little lately of the big dredge up the river, which it was prognosticated would revolutionise that class of gold working. Educational. — The average attendances at the schools at Roxburgh and the Creek are respectively something like 115 and 30. The Rpxburgh School Committee are desirous of en-

gaging a pupil teacher, but this depends orithe average^ attendance. If parents, would' only be more alive to the fact that regular attendance benefits the school in every way, perhaps they would make a little more effort than some of them care to do at present. Bazaar.— The Anglican Church of St. James held a very successful bazaar and gift auction on the 24th. Goods of all sorts.were freely given, and a good business was done, about £70 being realised — an excellent result for a country town, especially as there are several denominations in the district. The band gave their services,- and Mr Burton acted as auctioneer.

The Roads are becoming heavy, and will remain so all winter. Really, one does think longingly of either railway or tramway. It would be blessing. It was stated lately that the county council spent £5000 annually on the road from Lawrence to the Teviot, but in winter we find this very hard to believe. At present, however, there is nothing for it but patience. '