ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 30

ROXBURGH.

Mat 4 —Winter is steadily comirig upon us, as we can porceive by the yellowing leaves and the increasing cold, as well as by the slight coating of enow on the top of the ranges. Still, some days are lovely — so mild that one would almost think that winter had made up its mind after. all to pass ub by. What we really dread is a wet winter Last season was miserably wet, aud in consequence the condition of the roads was deplorably bad. In places the depth of mud wa« 2ft, and I very much fear that things will be no better this winter. A little less braying about imaginary prosperity and a little more attention to such a common necessity as roads on the part of those able to direct matters would be much appreciated by us. Our Railway anu oub Revjcnuks —The Roxburgh railway has beon a good deal mlked about lately The Daily Times devoted a leading article to it r proving, however, to the satisfaction of the writer that the railway to Roxburgh would never be built. Possibly, but I am not sure. .I, know onejkhing— that the Government are alive to 'the fruit-producing capacities of the Teviot Valley, and that they are taking steps to increase them. We have been visited by fruit axperts skilled in the methods of Browing and flf drying fruit, and who are engaged in selecting a spot 'for an experimental fruit ■tatinn. If the valley becomes oue large orchard, as it really might, then a railway will follow fast enough. If Mr Larnach can aid the development of our resources in this line, we shall not forget him, MINING. I do aot wish to raise false hopes, but I. have beard tha words "mining boom " whispered about. Two reefs have been discovered in the Amalgamated clnim — one some 20ft wide Btrikiagnortheaiit, the other some 2ft or 3ft wide, running east and west across the north of the claim. The quartz has been roughly tested and proved to run about 6dwt to the^ton Now. if thiti is a solid reef and not merely an outcrop, the discovery means an advance of prosperity. 1 hear this afternoon that the well-known.Dumbar-ton Ruck claim has been 'floated. I congratulate the promoter. Several parties aro in frpin the Pomahaka and Campbell's for the winter. They report poor results.

Amusements. — In the matter of amusements we aro doing pretty well. The'cycHns sports were good, all things considered; but as 'they have already been dealt with in your columns, I need not refer to them further. The football 'season has opened, and our boys go to Alexandra on the 25th inst., while we hope to arrange to have son.p matches with visiting teams. A glee club i>, (1 . bees partly formed It sounds ambitious, but m.vy do well The AtlwßixHirn Committee intends holding a series of socials during the winter months, the proceeds to go to the piano f undL The first has already come off very successfully.