ALEXANDRA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 31

ALEXANDRA.

May 9. — The last two issues of the "Witness have been of special interest to residents of this district. The photos of the different beauty spots were very good, and gave some idea, of the growth noticeab'.e in this locality. Of course, the phctos represented all the choiceland ; at the same time it must be remembered that these places ur.der cultivation were once as barren r.s the lard lying waste. What wa require here is population and a good supply of "water. The latter difficulty should be easily overcome, as the water could be pumped from the river. Fruit-growing.— The fruit-growers are socn to have a visit from Mr Blackmore. Government pomologist. Mr Blackmore is able to give all growers good advice,- and his visits arc much appreciated. His work, however, must be increasing considerably in this district, as quite a number of new orchards are in course of preparation, in view of the Otago Central railway coming nearer. When the railway reaches Onhir it will mean thai a. frivt-grower wi'V be able to run out a load o"f .*uit ar,d return in about five hours, instead of having to waste a whole day by going to Ida Valley, as at present. Snort?.— Summer pastimes have given plac*» to the winter panes— football and golf; and if the weather continues as coWl n.s it has been v.-c sha'.l soon have some skating. Otago Central Railway.— The burning question here just no.v is the O*ago Central railway. We have always understood that the railway was to come here, and thence on to <"'lyd». and now we have a suggestion from Mr Herdman, M.H.R.. that it should ston at Ophir. and a road h» formed through Thomson's Gorge to tap the Hawea district. Mr Herdman, in my opinion, has, through advocating the adoption of this course, donp a lot of good, for n. little opnosition has enlivened things, and. I believe the result will be th.it the raihvnv will be here sooner than wo expected. Sir J. G. Ward wi'l have commeri<-p<l his journey through the district before this appears in print, and no doubt the whole question will be gone into with him.