ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1108, 7 January 1885, Page 3

ROXBURGH.

(From our oion Correspondent.) The only amusement provided for the public in this locality was athletic sports, &c, held at Moa Flat under the management of some Ettrick and Millers Flat gentlemen ; consequently, a number of Roxburgh people wended their way thereto, but the unfavorable weather no doubt prevented many from putting in an appearance. The different events were fairly contested, and the proceedings throughout were well arranged. The publicans' booth (in charge of Mr Waight), as is usually the case, did a good trade ; likewise the coffee stall (in charge of Mr W. Weatherall.) The silver cup (valued at £5) for the most points in running was won by Ohas. Richardson. Some halfdozen horses started for the Hack Race, which was won hands down by Mr Ridd's Little John. A dance was held in the evening in the Athenaeum, Roxburgh, and was fairly attended. For the past fortnight, rain has fallen every day. Some of the hay which has been cut for the past three weeks is actually rotting on account of the wet. The barometer since midday yesterday indicates better weather. The paroquets are as troublesome as ever, although numbers are shot down daily. The damage done by these birds in destroying fruit and necessitating the netting of trees may be reckoned by hundreds of pounds in this district alone. The measles, which have been prevalent in the borough during this month, appear to be dying out. Mr Low, of the Public Works Department, arrived yesterday, and, in company with His Worship the Mayor (Mr Heron), Mr Burton and Or Smith, inspected the ruins caused by the recent waterspout ; but as to Mr Low's estimate of the damage nothing is as yet known. I venture to say it is not much less than £500. We are anxiously looking out for the advertisement calling tenders for tbe completion of our bridge. Seeing that the member for the district (Mr Pyke) has managed to get the General Government to undertake the completion of the stracture, we may expect no delay. Mr Pyke's conduct has been eulogised on all hands, and more so owing to a general belief that he has had an under-current to work against, created by some two or three individuals who do not wish to see the bridge erected at all. December 29th, 1884.