WESTERN DISTRICT SETTLEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 16689, 18 March 1911, Page 5

WESTERN DISTRICT SETTLEMENT

FSOOBESS COMMITTEE ACTIVE. Under the auspices of the Progress Committee of the Orepuki district, a meeting was held at Round Hill on March 14 to urge forward road construction, and land settlement on some 5000 acres of land between Bound Hill and Orepuki from which the timber had for some time been cut out. The schoolhouse was well filled ,a party driving from Colac to participate, and the chftir was 'occupied by Mr J. O’Brien. Mr J. A. Adamson, of Orepuki, addressed the meeting upon the necessity of looking ahead in order to provide against the contingency of the failure of the goldfield to give remunerative employment. The fate of mining townships In the Australian States and in the Dominion was an object lesson which should be taken to heart and guarded against. History had a knack of repeating itself. The folly of having “all the eggs in one basket” was apparent in the condition of many mining townships. The fertile soil all round them offered first-hand employment if the Lands Department would open the door of opportunity to willing hands. There was a large area outside the auriferous belt which should be contributing its quota to enrich the Dominion. The speaker urged all present to work unitedly and persistently until the unoccupied land in their district was opened for settlement. Dr Line sketched the various roads that have lately been surveyed in the district, and showed that the ultimate through road from Riverton would run almost direct from Longwood by Round Hill to Orepuki. The latter part of it, called Riley’s Road, was the one that should be made witbjut delay because of the large amount of good land available on either side of it. This part of the road was only 3t& miles long: it 1-/ above the gold-bearing area, and on firm dry ground all the way. What was needed was a sufficient sum of money on next Estimates to form and gravel all this road. He showed also how the road between Longwood and Colac could be made passable, so that vehicles could go right through from Riverton to Orepuki and onward, without being obliged to have recourse to the dangerous, < ircuitous road along the beaches a road, too, which opened up very little land indeed. The speaker emphasised the fact that almost all the small sums voted on last year's appropriations for this district were as yet unspent, notably £IOO for Riley’s road, £2OO between Oraka station and Hunts, and £2OO on Ward road.

Mr J. C. Thomson, M.P. for Wallace, was present, and expressed his satisfaction at the earnest manner in which residents were turning their attention to the obvious needs of their district, which Should materially strengthen his hands as their representative. Mr Thomson rapidly sketched what had been done in furthering their interests, and also explained the mode of dealing with Government grants for roads and bridg|s. When appropriations were made for certain works, and not spent, th- blame did not rest with the Government, or the member, whose business it was to get the vote passed, but who had no control over the spending of it. The Roads Department, he was pleased to note, had again been located at Invercargill, and he would suggest that a request be made to pass along the votes for roads to that Department If the County Council was unable to undertake the work. At the conclusion of an Interesting speech, which was listened to with marked attention, Mr Thomson received a hearty round of applause.

Various others spoke, Including Messrs Leary (secretary of the Round Hill Mining Co.), P. Devereaux, J. McDougall. and H. Spear. The following resolutions were carried; — (1) Moved by Mr J. Couling, and seconded by Mr P. Devereaux—“That this meeting urge upon the Roads Department the necessity of having the road passable between Round Hill and Orcpukl, and that the portion affecting the mining at Round Hill be made temporarily until the company’s elevator has passed through.” (2.) Moved by Mr J. A. Adamson, and seconded by Mr Devereaux—“That the lands already surveyed east of Pahia be immediately opened up for settlement.”

(3.) Moved by Mr H. Spear* and seconded by Mr W. Hopgood—"That the Public Works Department be written to and asked to have the £2OO, which was granted to form the road between Oraka station and Hunts, spent as soon as possible.” The following names were added to the Progress Committee: —Messrs J. Couling. F. Hart, T. O’Brien, P. Devereaux, Broomhall, J. Thurgood, F. Perry, E. Mason, Neilson, ,and J. McKenna. A similar meeting is to be held at Colac on Wednesday, March 22. BTUBBOBZT AS A MOTE. A bad cough is more stubborn than a mule, and if the right method is not used, it is more difficult to conquer. Dr. Sheldon’s New Discovery for Coughs and Colds conquers the most stubborn case. It is a safe and certain remedy for coughs, colds, and all lung troubles. Small dose. Pleasant to take. Every bottle guaranteed. Obtainable everywhere.