GREENVALE.

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

GREEN VALE.

AUGUST I.— Giadually the interior of Otago is being brought under the pervading influence of settlement, and the rough and smooth, broken and unbroken lands are being turned to purposes of human sustenance. Yes, agriculture is a great art ; it reduces the inequalities of a country and brings into existence the native productiveness of the soil. Central Otago is destined to become in the near future a great point of export and productiveness. The population will not for a great number of years be able to consume a third of the produce, hence it will be necessary to find markets in the landside or seaboard towns, and even beyond the colony for its varied productions. There are many new districts that have sprang into existence during the last few years, .and Greenvale is one of them. It joius on its south side the Glenkenich, runs towards Kelso- in the east, and the Pomahaka in the north-east, while in the west a range of hills separates it from the Wendon district. The prospect of the eastern portion is somewhat extensive, and comprehends a view of great and growing interest— the Pomahaka river and valley, the growing town ot Kelso, and in the distance the embowered and picturesque town of Tapanui; whileopening out on either sideare tobe 6een'the rich alluvial plainsand undulating downs dotted over with the cosy homes of our f.irmer». Twenty years ago, I am told, this country was covered largely with the tall red tussock, but at this day we see veiy little of it, the plough having reduced the Lind to something like fertjlity. The Pomahaka is a river of considerable size, and the valley on either side is a most fertile one. The lonesome anglers are occasionally seen along its banks, but it is higher up at its source, and on the rippling bosom of its tributaries that the trout abound. The Leithem is becoming a favourite spot of the sportsmen. Along- the banks of this fine stream there are many pleasant resorts, many little nooks and dells, tha: in time will call forth the high sounding song of some rustic, poet " for love and nature free." When we allow our minds to wander over the deep and silent past, the beauties of Scotland's Kelso, the Tweed, and the Crystal Teviot rise before us, and here in far away New Zealand we are re-enacting on a larger scale those &ame old customs that have so endeared the youthful memories of timehonoured places. On the west side of the Bald Hill thewaterdrains into the Mataura. Mount Wendon narrows down the valley along the Waikaka to little more than a gorge. The terraces and foothills are often gutted and worn into by the rushing water in its downward course. On the hills above the white crown "of dazzling splendour" is often seen during the summer, and in the winter the hills are seldom if ever clear of snow. Beyond the present confines of settlement the School Comniidsioneis own considerable tracts of country, presently leased by the owners of Otama station. In time this land will be required for settlement. Even now there is talk of trying to get another block thrown open. Roads and Works —In every young district there arise wants which demand attention. The spread of settlement is not effected without many struggles and much hardship and privation, and it is by attending to these natural and growing requirements that the occupation of outlying

country is rendered ; tolerable. Our pioneer settlers are a hardy class, and have to contend with untold difficulties, and every consideration should be shown them. A large portion of the Greenvale settlement is badly roaded, and requires the attention of the Clutha and Southland counties. In the western part of Greenvale the expenditure of a few pounds would open up to the Chatton and Waikaka and Greenvale settlers a splendid bush, thus giving unusual facilities for obtaining building and fencing material, and as these districts are bare of timber, the boon is manifest. Ihen, again, the bye-roads leadiug to the various farms are in a primitive state, very little work having been done on them. They require culverts and small patches of formation. It is in outlying parts of counties such as Greenvale that the great advantage of road boards is made plain. Proposed School.— The settlers are also sadly in need of school accommodation for their children. lam informed that there are not less than 30 children almost ripe for school, and as it is on the shoulders of the rising generation that the prosperity of the colony will devolve, the necessity of suitable education becomes self-evident. The use and advantage of education is felt in all grades of life, and it behoves the parents to secure those inestimable blessings for their offspring that iv too many instances have been denied themselves. An attempt will shortly be made, I am told, to secure a school and teacher for the district, and not before they are badly needed.

Post Office.— Then there is the question of a post office. Post offices may be classed next to schools as factors of education, and the small cost of their establishment renders them all the more easily of being obtained. Luckily, in this connection we have a kindly and appreciative class of officials who will hardly refuse to recognise any reasonable demand in this direction.

Raubiitinu.— On the high country rabbittiug is being carried on assiduously and successfully. The rabbits are being well kept down. The factory at Kelso has been a great boon this season.

Agriculture.— The hard frosts and wet season has kept farming affairs back very much.