TUAPEKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 22

TUAPEKA.

July 3.— We are now in the midst of the election excitement. Monday next will bo the convincing day— the day on which will be decided by popular vote whether Mr Scobie Mackenzie or the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach will repreaent us in the House of Representatives duriDg the currency of the present Parliament. The interest in the election was sadly on the wane until Mr O. C. Rawlins announced his retirement in favour of Mr Scobie Mackenzie, but directly that announcement was made fresh life was at once infused into it. Mr Rawlins showed his good sense in retiring, but it is to be regretted that he did not make up his mind to do so a week or 10 days earlier. Had he done so Mr Mackenzie would have thus been enabled to visit every centre in the electorate, but as it now is he can only visit the larger centres. This is very much to be regretted, as the electors in the districts lying between Coal Creek and Waitahuna have never had the pleasure of hearing Mr Mackenzie. Mr Larnach has delivered several addresses in the Tuapeka district. He opened fire at Lawrence last Monday night, and was accorded a very good reception. He spoke for nearly two hours, touching on many questions in which his audience followed him with a good deal of interest. Touching the education question, he said that he was in favour of the present system, although he recognised that the Roman Catholics deserved some consideration, and he was not averse to giving them assistance. It is said that Mr Larnach is to get the "block vote" at the election, those in authority recognising that in the past he has rendered them good service, and in the future more could be expected from him than from Mr Scobie Mackenzie.

Well, with whom will victory rest on the 9th— Monday next ? I am inclined to think that our next member will be Mr Scobie Mackenzie, and for the following reasons : — Around Lawrence Blue Spur, Tuapeka West, Tuapeka Mouth, Waitahuna, Clark's Flat, and from the Beaumont up to Coal Creek, Mr Mackenzie will have a substantial majority, say, of 300 to 400 votes. It is recognised that he will not fare well at Bald Hill Flat and Alexandra, nor at Blacks ; but, admitting that ho is in a minority at these places, the substantial majority he will get from Coal Creek downward will keep him at the head of the poll when the final result is declared. I recognise that in Mr Larnach Mr Scobie Mackenzie meets a focman worthy of his steel ; and although I have stated that victory will reßt with the latter, on that account I would not advifte Mr Mackenzie's supporters to relax their efforts. Every available vote should be polled, or at least an effort should be made to do bo.

Our Roads.— The main road from Lawrence to Moa Flat is now in a deplorable state. A few days ago I had occasion to go from Lawrence as far as Roxburgh, and in all my experience I never saw the road in Fuch a state. It is a wonder to me the county authorities do not give this road a little more attention in the summer months. It is useless attempting to do anything to it in the winter Beason. Of course very little could have been done to the road during the last eight or ten weeks, as the season has been so wet. But, notwithstanding this, the county council do not seem disposed to give the road much attention at any time.

Mining. — There is no stir in mining matters just now. The dredges at Miller's Flat and Roxburgh aie working very steadily, some of them being on good gold. The river having been bo high lately haß prevented one or two of the smaller dredges from woi king in the bed of the stream. — I hear that the roller battery, whkh formerly belonged to the old Nelson Company at the Blue Spur, and which with the claim passed into the hands of the Consolidated Company, has been sold, and is to be removed to a tin mine in Tasmania. I have not heard what the amount of the consideration money was.

Linseed. — It is reported that Messrs Herbert and Co. are trying to get the Tuapeka West farmers to give some attention to lineeed culture. Some of them, I hear, are going to give it a trial. - Occasional Correspondent.