BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 21

BALCLUTHA.

August I.— At length, after one of the sloppiest winters that we have had for years, frost seems to have set in in downright earnest, and the hopes of the skaters are beginning to rise ; but as the sun strikes out warm through the day there is not much chance of the Kaitangata lakes becoming skatable this season. Owing to the wet winter the country roads are in a bad state, and farm work in rather a backward condition ; but now with the advent of fine weather ploughing is being pushed ahead expeditiously. With the exception of the choice alluvial soil on the river flats, the soil of this district is too light for wheat growing, and in consequence oats constitute the chief crop. A moderate addition of lime to the light-ridge soil would make a material difference, and on many farms where oats only can be grown now wheat would do well. The farmers in the vicinity of Milton have become quite convinced of the value of lime, and gradually the habit of liming the land is extending southward, as many of the farms near Lovell's Flat are to be seen dotted over with white heaps of lime ready for spreading. It is only a question of time when the u.se of lime will extend to the Clutha, if the railway people could only be convinced that it would pay them to carry lime at a merely nominal rate, as they would get back more than a return in increased grain traffic.

River Traffic.— The Matau has been plying regularly this winter, as the river has not been very low. On the first Monday of each month she makes a trip to Tuapeka Mouth, which will prove a great boon to the settlers in that neighbourhood. If the steamer could only make weekly trips there would soon be a good trade established, but this will not be until there is closer settlement on the fine estates bordering the river.

Arbor Day.— The Balclutha Borough Council, in conjunction with the School Committee, have determined to observe Arbor Day, and a commencement will be made with the work of tree planting. There is a splendid reserve below the township which could be made a thing of beauty by judicious tree planting, but unfortunately some years ago the Minister for Public Works took the reserve over for a ballast reserve, and so deprived the borough of their right to it, although the flatter retains a grazing right. As only a limited por \-< i of the reserve is required for gravel, the tiiuu has come when a move should be set on foot to g. i Uack all not actually required for ballast gravel. Oddfellows.— The Oddfellows held their annual ball on Friday, and the affair was a thorough success. There were about 100 couples present, and all appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves The lodge here is over 90 strong, and well in funds.

Electric Lighting —A plobescite of the ratepayers of the borough was taken to-day on the proposal that the borough council be empowered to borrow L2OOO to light the town with the electric light, when there voted for the proposal 32, and against it 33, the bulk of the ratepayers abstaining from voting, bo that the lighting of our pretty little township with the electric light is left to the future. Mr John Watt, late of watergas fame at Gore, will now endeavour to float a company to light the town with his gas, of whose brilliancy as a lighting agent he is giving nightly exhibitions at his workshop.