WAIKAWA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 23

WAIKAWA.

June 26. — Despite the-general depression which is everywhere apparent while travelling in almost any part of Southland at present, this little port 6eems to steadily hold its own. Government has been generous to it. It has spent large sums of money in opening Up the district, and no reasonable request for aid to assist in its further development is slighted. The district known us Scrubby Hill, some few miles beyond Niagara, has been connected by track to the main Fortrose road, and another passable roadway is in course of formation via Waikemu Valley and Anderson's Busli to Wyndhain, which will bring the latter place within a few hours' pleasant ride of the seaboard. A third right-of-way leading from Waikemu township to Ofcara via Six Mile is well advanced, and a complete survey of the lands adjacent to the port is being conducted, with the view of laying out blocks suitable for settlers of small means. Mr M'Nab, our now recognised representative, called in here on his late rounds throughout the electorate, and was well received. lie had several matters brought under his notice, and promised to do all iv his power to advance the district in whatever way he may be able And why not? To Waikemu Mr M'Nab owes in a measure his very being. Thirty years ago a vessel put into this port through stress of weather. She had flour on board and several young lady passengers. The vessel was detained for six weeks, during which time rations ran short. The crew and passengers ate the flour, which belonged to oui member's father, and on that gentleman ascertaining what had occurred he rode to Waikawa in high dudgeon to reprimand the captain ; but what good could ensue?— the flour was gone ;so to veut his spleen lw married one of the young lady passengers, and our present member is the result of the marriage. Telephone. — Of the £150 demanded of this district for the construction of a telephone to Fortrobe, £G0 has been subscribed, and more is expected. Anyone aware of the difficulty in communicating hurriedly with town on business of urgeucy or in case of sickness in summoning medical aid cau understand what a boon a telephone would be to an isolated district like Waikawa.

Coal. — Nothing daunted by past labour, the syndicate are still pluckily boring for coal on the eastern margin of the bay, and arc encouraged by promising indications. Hitherto a rock of intense hardness ha-> been met \\ ith, but a soft sandstone is now being penetrated, aud it may be the pre-

page of the much-longed-for coal. Whether it is to be found or no remains to be seen. That the enterprising party deserve to find it is unanimously conceded, for they have been persevering and have spent a lot of money in the venture. Sawmill.— Gillies and Co.'s sawmill is doing a firm, steady trade now, and the firm are rapidly recouping themselves for the heavy outlay in bringing the plant into workable Order when they purchased it. Road Works. — The Catlins road works are virtually over, in so far as this portion of the road is concerned. The thoroughfare will be finished from the Catlins end. The workmen are withdrawn, and only the settlers at the Ballance settlement remain. The manager, Mr Robert Young, to whose ability the success of the settlement is mainly due, has been placed in charge of the workmen now engaged in forming the OtaraWaikawa road.

State Farm Settlement.— A new settlement under the State farm principle is to be established on the clearing to the rear of Mr William Robertson's farm, a few miles beyond Niagara. Weather. — So far as the winter has gone, it has been marked by weather most varied. Today it may be bitterly cold with a piercing, icy wind ; to-morrow the air is balmy, and the sun shines warm and bright. School Matters. — Our schools flourish apace, and the attendance both at Niagara and Waikawa is on the increase, the improvement in the latter being very palpable. Miss White, the young lady who was appointed a few months ago in place of Mrs Brookes, resigned, is giving great satisfaction. She is kind to her pupils, yet firm in her government of them ; and under her tuition they sire making remarkable progress. Whilst visiting the school recently Mr Braik, the inspector, passed a high eulogium on Miss White's ability and the perfect organisation which obtains in her classes.