Martin's Bay: A Chance for Pioneers. TO TITE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 71

Martin's Bay: A Chance for Pioneers. TO TITE EDITOR.

Sir, — Some time ago I came across, in the Note 3 and Queries column of the "Witness, a reply given to inquiries by a correspondent for the best route for a horse and rider from Oamaru to Jamestown, Martin's Bay district. As the information contained therein was very misleading, and certainly not up to date, I am under the impression that more light on the subject will be acceptable to some of your readers. I have arrived here, or rather at Glenorchy, from the bay in five days with a mob of cattle, which I and my mates., the M'Kenzies, had not the slightest .difficulty in bringing across; and I am convinced that had the Martin' 3 Bay district, its capabilities,- and the comparatively easy access to it been better known, settlement on a, large scale would have' taken place before this. There is a large amount of agricultural country about the bay; splendid timber to give work to a sawmill for many years ; and other resources — mining, >etc. — to push -tha place 'ahead. The service, by Government steamer has been faithfully kept three time 3 .a- year during my residence there. ■ Regarding .the information about the road given/ to "Rover," I may say that from the Greenstone (Lake Wahatipu) right to the bay the road is' now greatly improved, and is passable all the year round.' ' There are now five Government; huts and four grass paddocks for horses' established on the road. Lns-fc year several parties, one consisting of a number of young Dunedin students on a walking tour, came across, aad thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The weather is. of course, West Coast weather, and sometimes wet ; but for scenery and easy conditions of life I do not know of any better place than Martin's Bay in New Zealand. After living 20 years in Central Otago I came, five years ago, to Martin's Bay. and I have never regretted the change. — I am, etc., / J. IT. CAMPBELL. Queenstown, November 18.

An exciting balloon incident "happened recently at Umgeni, Natal. During a descent by Professor Michael a Coolie boy somehow become entangled in the ropes, and was carried up to a height of 4000 ft, for some time head downwards. Michael pulled him into the balloon, and both safely landed. Mr Jenkins, of Upper Rattray street, has just made an addition to his establishment which probably makes it the most thoroughly equipped electric establishment from all points of view m the colonies. Ho has now electric plants for medical, motive power, storago, and lighting purposes, dynamo and fittings for the last-mentioned purpose and an Otto gas engine having just beon installed by Messrs Turnbull and Jones and Mr Feildwick respectively.