WAIKAKA VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2082, 18 January 1894, Page 22

WAIKAKA VALLEY.

January 16. — The weather was extremely warm last week, and the pastures were becoming brown. Genial showers of rain fell last night, and they were just in time to save the pasture and prolong the growth of the crops. The weather lately had favoured the fly, and his ravages were becoming apparent on late-sown turnips, but last night's rain will no doubt check any farther damage.

Telephone.— lt is some month's since there was a movement to get a telephone line through the Valley to connect Gore with the local post office and that at Watkaka, some 10 miles fa rther north. On receipt of jEBO from the district the Postal department . promised to eiect a line. But as subscriptions are coming in slowly to the local treasurer, the prospect |of getting the boon desired seems somewhat remote, which is contrary to the expectations formed when the movement was started. A number here paid their subscriptions at once, but others appear to have forgotten all about the matter. It is a pityl a; small committee was not formed on the occasion of the first meeting, in which event the matter would have been settled definitely by this time. But in addition to the amount already subscribed locally I believe this part is some £ti shoit of the sum of i:3O, which the committee at Waikaka expected this district to subscribe. Some subscribers say they would at once make up the deficiency if the few who are refusing to subscribe anything could only see that it is also to their interest to do so ; and .the telephone would be a decided advantage in more ways than one to every settler whose business takes him to the local blacksmith's shop' and the post office, or past these places to Gore. Unless some effort is made soon we may be long enough without the telephone, and there may be material for a legend of another Sleepy Hollow.