CHASLANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 31

CHASLANDS.

August 6.— There is a;) ?xrc!r« of sel'.l.-rs from, here jr. 31 now in qu°--t of tumnisr field* and pastures new, and I think the cause 13 due to Iho bad ror.ds. People lose he-irl after a time when th^y zee iio hl-D'.iLood of beiu^ able to git about, as ?t the present rate of read-metalling anothe: generation will p?z+ away bsiorc the- mair road 's fit for trrffic. However, I would liko lo point out to the sotlers about to lervo that tho-.e who have left in the past and gone to live in the town hjn-e regretted doing to, as Uiey miss Iheir free firing, eggs, butter, milk, vegetables, 3tc, md though they were desirable settlers, more desirable oaes took their places, and are making good homes. Some of the abandoned sections are falling into the hands of young men This will help lo kill the dairy industry, as young fellows very soon get tired of cow-spanking, and the milk supply to the local factory has been low enough in the past. Low supplymeans low price.

School.— Our school, which is one of the best xuntry schools in Otago, has opened after the winter .holidays. There 'S a good attendance, and \xa are blessed with two good teachers and. a good committee, who have made substantial improvements since they took office. The teachers arc getting the children ready for their second concert, which takes place in September. There is a great craze for music here. Mr Appleby gives pianoforte instructions after school hours, and Mr Hunt teaches the violin.

Timber Industry — The timber trade at Tautuku is at a standstill. ' Ix, is close on two years since operations were started, and yet only about 60,000 ft have been cut so far. The men who were employed have not grown rich,

but thej have gained a lot of experience. The timber scow Tautuku has been in the river for the past two weeks. She came to load with sawn timber, -which is not available, and her owner, Mr A. L. Sarnc-y, has had to employ

hands i.o cut 0 cargo of fhev/ocd. When Mr Sarney built the scow he little thought ha \.ould bs fchort of loading from the river to town. It will be a pity if the little scow has to bo laid up, us her ownei de c erves better tieatnicnt. There is a good invrstment at the Tautuku for an up-to-date sawmill, and I wonder some of the tinibor merchants in town don't pay attention to this locality. It only requires a little means and energy to bring to market some of *he vo&t wealth of the great forest, and now it has been piovcd beyond the shadow of a doubt thsit a small ateanier can enter the river aud load, theie ,s no risk, =0 I expect to \cry see the timbci tiade here piospcr.