MID-WAIAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 22

MID-WAIAU.

December 4.— The elections have kept us from wearying. For the Waiau riding of the county council Mr Ellis has been elected by a larse nnjority over Mr Darley, who stood as the nominee of a section of the farmers. This has been the first election in The district where a small farmer has stood against a runholder. At the general electiou things were entirely reversed. There were three polling bDoths in the Waiau district, and Mr Hirst, the Opposition candidate, scored 24 votes against Mr Mackintosh's 95. At Eastern Bush the successful candidate polled 1100 per cent, more than his adversary. At Clifden, where there are many of the "unemployed," Mr Mackintosh was not much assisted by their votes, as only 11 voted for him. Very few of them would have had a vote or, having a vote, could have used it, a3 several of the settlers were sure to vote for him. Settlement.— Nearly all tie ground in the district is taken up. There i= now a demand for smaller sections of 200 aucs. People down country are grumbling at the l.ii ge eize into which theblock3 have been surveyed, which makes it impossible for a man of moderate means to take up ground in this locxlHy. Great improvements are being made. Mr Adamson is In-caking up part of a Urge block of country on the eas 1 " side of the road between Ofcahu and Eastern B tsh. When this is down in grass it will greatly improve the appearance of the country. Messrs Davis ha\e also turned up a good-sized area of land, which is now sown down in turnips and oats, while Messis Craig are also hard at work effacing the fern, rushes, tussock, and flax. In three years those who come thi-ough will see the country in grass crop or turnips and yet until a few years ago the land was considered worthless. Pasioral.— Mr Gillespie, of Otahu, has a grand percentage (87) of lambs by Leicester rams out of merino ewes. When the ewes came up 50 per cent, of them were lame and in a wretched condition from footrot. Now they look really well. Their appearance does credit to his management and speaks well for Otahu. Otahu has always had a bad name, but most undeservedly so. Under Mr Norman M'Laren it carried a heavy stock. He sold off at Wairio last year abiut SOOO sheep, some of them really excellent. He kept back a considerable number. On some paddocks the gra^s is green all winter. A largd area remains to be broken up. Part is poor, part is some of the best land in Southland. Split up into farms it would help the district. It is a pity to let it all go in one lot. , , -„.„, Clivden Bridge.— The bridge at Gmden was at first intended to be a suspension bridge ; now

it is to be supported by cylinders. It is to be hoped that it may be under way while the roads are good. Lj.mi: Reserve. — The settlers have been granted a lime reserve at East Clifden. The ground is to be surveyed off at the first opportunity.