OTAGO CENTRAL,

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 35

OTAGO CENTRAL,

Ophir, August 4.— During the past week we ' have been treated to a, real touch of winter, said all the hills and valleys are covered with a good coating of "beautiful snow. 1 ' At this late part of lhe winter season, however, it cannot lie for any time, and a few days will most likely see it away. Otago Central Railway.— Owing to the mow and frost, ballasting operations have been defiayed, but a few days will put that right too. The engine has not been idle, but has been engaged doing work wherever possible, and bringing over the public works material and goods. Inspector Horan and George Freeman, the driver, and his plucky staff, are out m all •weathers, and have some very cold journeys i across the ridge to Ida Valley; but Geordio 3?reernan's old engine, the Rob Roy, puffs away in storm or sunshine. Apropos of this, it is worthy of note that Freeman has piloted at since April, 1887. Many a load of ballast ior the New Zealand railways has been pulled J>y her, and her driver, now a veteran in the service, would feel quite lost if he had to leavf. hpr.

Goods Traffic. — The goods are still brought to and from. Ida Valley by the Public Works department. ' The ballast engine goes *over to Ida Valley for that purpose three times per •week, and oftener when necessary and suitable, llhis is c) great advantage to the people of Otago Central, because the road from. Idaj Valley to Ophir is in winter one of the worst over which S, carrier could drive.

Ticketing Parcels. — Your Clyde correspondent is usually very reliable and careful in his statements, but he was altogether "at sea" m Oiis remarks about parcels. It is no part of the duty of railway officials to ticket parcels. As a rnat+t r of fact every parcel delivered by the railviß-r h?«Sj unless it comas through a

carrying company, issued with it a waybill, and the officers at Ida Valley follow the usual railway procedure and issue such waybills. An agent gets the parcels transhipped from Lauder to Ida Valley, and your correspondent must look to his agent for a statement of charges. It would be unfair to ask the railway officials to do more than they do, and I can speak from many years" experience when I say tnat the practice at Ida Valley is the ctxstomary practice at all stations, and the officials at that station are as exact and methodical as any I have ever met. I know your Clyde correspondent would not willingly misrex>resent them.

SaJeyards. — There is some little dissension between the Lander people and those of Oplur as to a site for proposed baleyards, and at a meeting held in Ophir lately the Louder settlers wanted to fix the site definitely at Lauder. It was, however, decided to go on with the formation of the company, and fix the site later on. This was a wise decision. The majority should rule, and it would be a pity if two parties a.rose ovei the matter. After all, saleyards are "wanted; both can't have them, and the losers will, I am sure, gracefully submit. For my own part I express no opinion as +o a site.

Show. — The energetic Ot-ago Central A. arjet P. Association are making preparations for their annual show, which is to be held on the 18th November. Mr Duggan, the indefatigable secretary, is leaving no stone unturned to secure special prizes, and this show should be a lecord one, and draw <3\ large assemblage. Otago Central produces splendid stock, and few neopia know the capabilities of this part of rhe vast interior.

School Matters. — The people of New Gi-hir require some arrangement in connection with the school. That building is s^tu.i-ted at the old township, and the distance is over two miles. The road in badi vveathex is anythjug but good, and as there is likely to be a goodly population at the new town, it is suggested that the Education Board 1 might pay for the conveyance of the children night mud morning i.o the school. '-This maitter wiiL probably be bicught under the board's notice at no distant date.

Wanted. — There is also much need for a hajl :n the new town. Even in Old, O-phir the /nly available public building is the local schoolroom, -and now the place is to bs a railway termimis, a. hall will be adniost an absolute necessity.