SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 44

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

GERALDINE, February 6.— The weather has been exceptionally fine for the harvest, and operations axe in full swing in most parts of South Canterbury. The crops on the whole look well, and should give a fair average yield. The Premier's Visit.— The Hon. the Premier paid a visit to South Canterbury at the beginning of the week, "but owing to a. confusion, of dates he was unable to stay as long as he intended. I hear, however, that ke is corning back in March, when he will visit some of the country districts, and, if asked to do so, ho nnght open the new Opihi bridge at Pleasant Point. The Premier was much struck with the improvements at Tirnaru and the way mi which the district is going ahead. Several thousands oi pounds are being spent in reducing the clay cliffs at Caiolme Bay and in foiming an esplanade overlooking the bM>ch. Timaru Harbour Bo?rd. — Speaking at a gathering of faimers m the country on Thursday night a member of the Tirnaru Harbour Board said that when he went on the board! the revenue was £12,000 and the rate £6000. At thp present time the revenue was £24,000 and the rats £7000. He felt sure that roust be satisfactory to everyone. They had no trouble in getting away their frozen meat, ?nd steamers vu x > to 12,000 tons ccu'.d find loom in the Timaru harbour. They had the third largest port in the colony for exports, and farmers orght to feel proud of their horboxir andi be tLankful to the country members, to whom the credit was due for steering the affair safely through troubled waters. Every ratepayer should be proud of the harbour, and he waa sure that the success of the undertaking had> been the means of ircreasmg the value of land in this district. If the^ had no harbour and the farmers had to rail their gram to Lytvtelton, they would find it a serious matter.