BROAD BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1862, 29 July 1887, Page 17

BROAD BAY.

July 25.— Our latest advance in material progress is the establishment; of telephonic communication with Dunedin. The wire is an extension from Portobello, aud terminates at Mr Green's new store. Mr Logan, of the Telegraph department, inspected and opened the line— which appears to have been completed in a very satisfactory manner— on Friday. Of course ordinary country office hours will be observed but in cases of emergency the wire can be used at any hour of the night. The Season.— The long spells of wet weather have had a retarding effect on gardening operations, although during the fortnight's line weather about the end of May a considerable area of potatoes and other early produce was put in. Notwithstanding the cold winds, there has been a marked absence of frosts, so that violets, primroses, and polyanthus have been in bloom all winter.

Roads.— The Beach road at Macandrew's Bay, and at Scarbro, near Portobello, has been in a very bad state for some time. Since the X.M 'a decision in the case Pickering v. Richmond, the opposition coach has retired, and the mail has reverted toMrHichmond. Probably now one coach will carry the passengers that three daily coaches have been competing for, and their withdrawal will be alike advantageous to the load and road board under present circurmtauces. Our local board unfortunately has never adopted the Btitoh-in-tirae policy, hence it is a common remark, when slight repairs are pointel out,as being necessary, that they are not bad enough for that body to notice. However, the road in question is a sort of white elephant to them, for there is not only ordinary wear and tear to contend against, but continuous rains bring down slips on one side, aud a N.W, gale at high water will do a lot of damage to the retaining wall on the other. Gold Mining.— The harbour cone gold raining is developing but slowly. About '25 tons of stone is just now awaiting transmission to the Saddle Hill battery. bCHO 'L. — In the last Education Board report, our school in all subjects stands high, and in two subjects it is unique, hence it is a matter of congratulation to us that the teacher, Mr Huie, has just received a well merited promotion (a higher grade in his c-i tiiicate) for school work and management.

Jubilee. —It is rather late and perhaps nauseating to mention tins subject, but apropos of the celebration it may be worthy ofrard&rk that we have an old aud respected ) esident (Mr John Kodger) who was present with his company, a picked one, of Eoyal Marines, at her Majesty's coronation. He afterwards served in the earliest war in Spain, also in putting down the slave trade on the West Coast of Africa, and later on in the Crimea. At the close of the latter war he was discharged witli a comfortable pension, which he still enjoys. Political..— Our Lite M.H.B , the Hon. Mr Larnach, notifies that he is again on the warpath. Beyond the usual amount of grumbling, to which we are all entitled, there appears to he bv\t little disloyalty amongst'the eleolors afc t^ia end, of the Peninsula, Hiid Mr Larnaoh will probably have an easy time ot it during the coming election,