CENTRAL OTAGO RESOURCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 29

CENTRAL OTAGO RESOURCES.

THE NEW BANNOCKBURN BRIDGE. (From Orra Clyde Correspondent.) At the ce/emony of the opening of the new bridge across the Kawarau at Bannockburn on Friday, nth inst., Cr Naylor, of Clyde, in responding to the toast of " The Pastoral and Agricultural Interests," said : " Ladles and gentlemen, — I am here by invitation, and am delighted to see such a numerous concourse of people present to witness the ceremony of opening this splendid traffic bridge. Before proceeding further in reply to the toast just honoured by you, I think it is an opportune time for mentioning the loss this county, and this district particularly, sustained through the death of the late Mr William Stronach. Mr Stronach always took a lively interest in county \jnatters, and I may say here that he g-ave every support to the project for the reconstruction of the Macandiew Bridge, and I am sure we would bo -glad to have him here to-day to join in these festivities. I have to compliment the ratepayera on having secured such a substantial structure as this beautiful bridge appears to be, und I am confident it will carry any traffic likely to go upon it. Every praise is due Sir Macgeorge, the county engineer, for the elegant design of the bridge and for his careful supervision of the work of construction. The contractor has also done his work in a finished manner, and it is hoped the structure will be a lasting advertisement of his abilities. The Vincent County Council has done good work in having substantial bridges built wherever necessary throughout the county. Prior to the inauguration of the county system of local government we had but three bridges in existence ■within the county— viz., the Clyde, Cromwell, and Macandrew Bridges, — but, thanks to the late Vincent Pyke, the disadvantageous system of punts was done away with, and bridges erected wherever practicable. Had not Mr Pyke vigorously worked to found biidges at the time he did, those bridges could not be constructed now under similarly advantageous circumstances. Mr Pyke was also the means of having the tolls on punts and bridges abolished, and I well remember him throwing the key of the old Macandrew bridge toll-gate into the river, thus tignifying that traffic over this bridge was to be ever afterwards free. Reviewing the position of the pastoralists in Central Otago, it' cannot be denied bufc that they were the pioneers of the interior. They have done good service to the country, and made use of land that is not suitable for other than pastoral purposes. Tho' splendid quality of the wool raised by those pas- ■ toralists has spread abroad the fame of New Zealand as a wool-producing colony, while the i pastoralists contribute largely to the local and I general revenue of the country. I am of opinion that in course of time the pastoralists will become ! agriculturists, as they will have had a good start { with their pre-emptive rights and whatever lands they may purchase in common with other people, j and they will thus be enabled to become large and prosperous farmers. Of courae, this is a question | for the future to decide, and the i<astoralists may be left to work out their own destiny, as they are very capable of taking care of themselves. The agriculturist is a more up-to-date producer, however, and he endeavours to make the Und produce all it possibly can, with a view to creiting a surplus for export. The farmers of New Zealand have succeeded fairly well in this latter respect, the dairy produce and frozen meat export trade being positive proof of what our land i 3 capable of producing and of the standing of the agriculturist. With regard to local farmers, they have a promising future before them, as here in Central Otago we have some of the very best land for wheat growing, and as a proof of this assertion I have only to remind you of the quality of ■ the grist turned out by the Ophir and 1 uggata mills. I have dealt largely with these mills, and never yet have had a, bag of bad or inferior flour • c ent me. We have practical farmers and their families settled upon the land, and the produce is always in excess of the amount required in the district;. The farmers labour under a disadvantage through lack of railway communication with the shipping ports ; and again, as the greater parb of the interior is a tiniberless country, the settlers put up with much inconvenience in procuring their requirements for building and fencing purposes, as the cartaga on timber to the interior increases the first cost fourfold, while the cost of fertilising manures and other farm requisites works out about the same way. Under &uch circumstances it is almost impossible for farmers to succeed. I am glad to say, however, that the Otago Central railway is being pushed vigorously ahead, and may be soon opened to Eweburn, and probably to some point nearer its intended destination. The present Government has done more to push this railway on than did any other previous Government, and it is evident -they are honest in their efforts to meet the demands of the farmers in the interior. Knowing I have detained you longer than I bad intended doing, 'l will refrain from any reference to our fruit-growing industry, only merely mentioning the fact that the experimental station is certain to be established in the neighbourhood of Clyde, and this will be a boon to our orchardists."