ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 39

ROXBURGH.

October 16.—The season, so far as weather is concerned, has been fairly good. , yve have not experienced nearly so much ■wind this spring as we usually do. We had a very cold blast from Friday night last until Sunday morning, with a fair coating ot snow on the hills. Lambs would suffer no doubt. Grass is backward, and some ram would have been welcomed. Fruit Crop.—The fruit crop so far- looks promising. The cold blast and late frosts so far do not appear to have done much, it any, harm. If there are no reserves atej on there will be a phenomenal crop. The whole of this month is critical. On September 29 we had one of the worst, frosts we have ever had. The leaves begin to protect the newly-formed fruit as the season advances, and minimises the danger. Mining—There is little change to report under this- heading. A few are beginning to think of going down the hill, but it is a little early yet. The river is by no means ■high for this time of the year*, and the sluicing and hydraulic claims are in full operation. The Lady Roxburgh ciredge is shifting up to the top claim, adjoining 909, which is getting fair returns, 48oz and 420 z for two weeks’ dredging. Municipal. —Very little progress has been made with public matters. A concrete arch bridge is being built at the north end of the town. This has been a vexed question with councillors. No doubt the bridge is on the small size, as it is always safer to have a bridge a bit bigger than may be actually wanted. It is doubtful if such will be the’ case with the present work. County.—A nasty slip is going on at the north end of the bo-ough boundary, adjoining Mr Hugh Craig’s property. It is a peculiar situation, and very little, if anything, practical can be done to avert it or prevent the probable destruction of this portion of road. The slip is not extensive, but may be termed a pocket. Evidently solid ground is at the back of the slip, which is acting on what a minor would call a soapy back, the River Molyneux is driving straight into the corner below, causing a. big eddy, which is taking away the foundation of The slip as it comes. I may say tho bank has been washed away for chains within the last 40 years. A nice strip of ground, which was usually cultivated and under potatoes and other crops, existing between. the main road and the river. Now the greedy river is immediately below tho road. No l doubt the dry seasons we have had has delayed the entire destruction,, of this part of the road. A lot of stones were carted onto the slip (I would call it, on tho bosom of the slip). It is very difficult to understand the intention of the engineer, because the weight put on the slip would cause it to gravitate quickly. I should Baytake off weight rather than put it on. Trifling with the bottom part only aggravates th© trouble, and more expenditure on this slip will be only lost money. It is one of Nature’s ways of making river courses. Keeping the drainage off the back is all that can really b© done to help it to stand for a time. Sooner or later a roadi will have to be made into a small part of Mr Waith and Sons’ garden. It will only be necessary to take a few chains in

length and about one in width. The slip has no doubt gone as far back as it will go, judging by the Spring of water that comes down to the edge of the fissure. The engineer is not to blame for the road slipping nor is the County Council.