WAIKAKA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1959, 10 September 1891, Page 19

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

September B.— The weather was fine last week, as it also haa been up to date. The soil ia hardly dry enough U r harrowing, however, and onljt* few have, commenced sowing oafs. Sowing will probably be general next week, t ome succeeded in sowing wheat yesterday, but no moie than usual is being put in. Not a tenth of the farmers in thfs district grow wheat at all, and barley ii hardly hoard of. The soil of the district does not contain a sufficiently large percentage of sand for the last-named cereal. Traffic Bridge at Gore.— Toe Gore people are somewhat exercised in mi d at present- and they have been in the same state occasionally for years over ways and means of-erecting a traffic bridge over the Mataura river at Gore. The townspeople and country settlers have been crossing on the railway bridge for a number of years, but the yearly increasing traffio is making the serious loss of time occasioned by waiting the arrival and departure of trains irksome to a high degree. Government refuse to bear the cost, which would probably amount to about £5000, and point out that advantage can be taken of the provisions of the aot relating to loans to local bodies. Some time ago the borough counoil of Gore applied to the county counoil for permission to take a poll of the ratepayers in certain portions of oertain ridings new Gore, but the counoil deolined to give the desired authority. So far as I can ascertain, all fche settlers approve of the action of our county j member in the matter, as there are few, if any, who I would consent • o be taxed for a period of 26 years ! to provide principal and interest for extinguishing the debt. Hence the counoil by its aotion has saved expense and a conaiderable amount of irritation. Locally there is a strong feeling against the rate contemplated, and the matter has brought forcibly to the minds of the settlers the grave results which might follow the adoption of the principle of the one-man-one-vote in local government in districts where there were a considerable number of, say, 10acre landholders. The settlers would be considerably benefited by the erection of a bridge at the place mentioned, but the benefits which would accrue are not sufficiently large to justify additional taxation It Is probable that matters will have to remain as they are unless the Government give substantial assistance.