NENTHORN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 17

NENTHORN.

September 10.— It is pleasing to see that the local County council are beginning to recognise the claim of their young nursling in the form of the rising town of Nenthorn, and, though somewhat tardily, awaken to a sense of their duty by attending to its wants. Tenders are now being called for the formation of a road for light traffic from Scratchback Hill to the township of Nenthorn, connecting that town with Waikouaiti, the total distance being not more than 25 miles. Tenders Jiave also been accepted for forming and gravelling the road through Nenthorn township. In the matter of the telephone the councillors were rather lukewarm, and to a pertinent suggestion from Mr James Mitchell of this town, that the county council should guarantee the £30 for five years asked by the Government for the establishment of telephonic connection, replied, in ambiguous language peculiar to county councils, that the council had communicated with the member for the district for further information ; a very grave and wise step no doubt, and I hope the information, when it comes, may be worth the trouble taken in getting it. Another item the council was addressed upon by Mr W. Donaldson was a subsidy for a water supply. This matter is fast becoming one of the most pressing necessities, and it says very little for the sympathy of the councillors that they " regretted they could not devote the county funds for the purpose asked." This, probably, inav be very proper and correct, but there are other ways of assisting in so important a matter as a water supply for Nenthorn. The council might procure a cheap set of boring rods and tubes, which for a multiplicity of purposes would be invaluable, aad amongst which boring for water is perhaps not the least.

Fires.— Grass fires are raging almost every night, and though during darkness they may lend a certain enchantment to the view, they are by no means an unmixed good. It is true these fires clear the ground and expose outcrops of reef, make the ground easier to traverse, and do away with the annoyance wet grass is to early prospectors ; but then they render the country, for the time being at least, more bleak and bare than it was. before ; it must destroy many a skylark's nest, and these tuneful songsters are rather welcome in the solitudes of Central Otago ; and last but not least, grass fires jeopardise in no small degree the tents of isolated prospectors, as was proved the other day when Messrs Jenkins and M'Kirbree's tent and all their belongings were burnt by such a fire during their absence. Still Growing.— The township of Nenthorn is still expanding. Amongst the buildings now nearing completion is the Bank of New Zealand, a compact and neat structure, comprising large office, parlour, and bedroom, lined throughout with well Beaaoned kauri timber and panelled ceilings. The walls are of great height, and the main entrance is provided with double doora and porch, from which a glass door leads into the office. Tbe builder, Mr James Mitchell, started about a week ago, and in little more than another he will bave the building ready for occupation and the transaction of business, xet in spit e of , the great expedition with whioh the liouee wao put i-upi everything is nabbed in the moat eabataaUal and

workmanlike manner. Mr P. Ryan's hotel may now be said to be completed, and it forms a very commodious hostelry. Besides the bar, two parlours, large dining room, and kitchen, there are 10 lofty, well ventilated, roomy bedrooms. The partitions and walls throughout the building are all lined and ceiled with timber, and varnished, Mr James Mitchell also being the architect and builder of this hotel, the general arrangement of which for comfort and convenience reflects the greatest credit upon him.