CATLIN'S RIVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 14

CATLIN'S RIVER.

How many of the readers of the Witness have visited this somewhat out-of-the-way spot of which we have heard so much lately ? Allow me briefly to say a tew words about it, for I firmly believe that when it is better known it will be a favourite resort for all sorts and conditions of people. It is easily get-at-able now by rail. The train goes daily from Dunedin to Balclutha, a distance of 53 miles in three and a-half hours; then on certain days on which passengers are «a*ried from Balclutha to Romahapa, and by coach from Romahapa to Owake. Here again one is certainly in " the land of the mountain aud the flood." The eye never wearies looking at the far-stretching bush, with its endleas varieties of tress and shades ,of green. In whiter there is a great deal of moisture, #nd the sroads are in many parts sloppy beyond description, if the people were not stout-hearted and brave they would almost give up the struggle. But neither wind nor wet hinders them from attending kirk and market. The king's highway from Owake to Tehatika and Purekeriki ie in the wet season what the settlers denominated "truly awful." If they were not aided by staunch, steady horses they would never get on. As there are but few Idlers^ ia this quarter, and everyone is busy, the residents have no time to trouble themselves much aboijufc the natural beauty of their surroundings. "Visitors never fail, however, fco remark on the grand old forest, some of which has never been touched by the hand of man. Then tb.G riyers and the lake are very beautiful. Nearly everybody has got a "flatty," as they are called, for crossang and recrossing the rivers. To get dnto one of these and "ps4dle your own .canoe" for an hour or two in the sunshine as truly exhilirating to city people. It has, I must admit, generally been my good fortune to visit these places in summer. This fact necessarily gives colour and tone to my narrative. What aspect matters bear to the sons of toil and children going to school in the depth of winter through . slush and muck, I scarcely know. Talk of ferns, why they seem to be endless in variety, and would fiU the botanist's eye and soul withjoy. Peopleaeeking change who^annot afford a trip to the West Coast or to the Lake district would do well to visit this truly picturesque locality. Another section of railway five mses long is being pushed ahead, and will greatly help to bring the settlers nearer the .centres of popu-

lation. In addition to this we are told by those who profess to know that when the railway is pushed on further still a considerable quantity of the most valuable timber in the Middle Island will be tapped. It is a matter for regret, and a great loss besides, that the large sawmill so long worked by Guthrie and Larnach has been lying idle for years, and that the powder mill has also ceased operations. The settlers and others who now carry on several industries in the distridt deserve great credit for their indomitable pluck and energy in face of the many serious hindrances and drawbacks met with.