TOPHOUSE AND DISTRICT.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13496, 16 June 1914, Page 3

TOPHOUSE AND DISTRICT.

Our district has been in the grip of winter during the past few weeks, and heavy falls of snow, hard frosts, and bitter winds have been our lot. The last snow fall was the heaviest experienced in the Tophouse district for some years, there being nearly 12 inches at Tophouse, and it varied in depth to nine down the valley, while at Blue Glen some four of five inches fell. However, a welcome warm rain fell within a few hours, which soon disposed of nature's white mantle. At the time of writing, although it is bitterly cold, onlyj a few splashes of snow remain on No- j catch-em and surrounding ranges. As | a natural consequence of the snow our j roads are very heavy for traffic, and they will doubtless remain so now until the end of winter. The new road from Blue Glen to Rainy River is very heavy, and the settlers will have a great burden lifted when this road is metalled throughout.

Building appears to be the chief item in the district at the present time, and the local mills have been busy of late cutting for local requirements. Messrs. Kerr Bros.' fine new homestead is rapidly nearing completion, and I hear Mr. Blechynden's new building is to. be commenced shortly. The necessary material for the school house is being prepared, and it is expected a start will be made, within a few days. The rumour about the bridge near the Golden Downs appears to be a«-myth again, and the still suffering settlers are of opinion that the responsible department in charge of the small grant that is available sadly requires reforming. The ford is extremely rough just now owing to the freshes due to the melting snow. The long-suffering and patient settlers of the Rainy River portion of this district are getting another small grant expended towards their homes. These unfortunate people have for years tolerated a road tip a very rough river bed, which in places is of great danger to life and limb. I am informed that there is a vast amount of land suitable for settlement in this locality, and it seems a pity that it is not thrown open, as it is infinitely of better quality than the snow-clad tops at the head of Lake Roto-iti recently thrown upon for selection. The throwing open of the Rainy River land should give the necessary impetus to the early completion of a much required road.