ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1816, 29 July 1891, Page 3

ROXBURGH.

(Prom our own Correspondent;. ) Only a few short weeks ago we looked on the establishment of a rabbit factory in this district as a subject on which there was no room for doubt. The rabbiters and the settlers and the whole juvenile population were in ecstacies at the prospect, and no wouder. I say nothing of the fruit-growers or the visions of big profits and ready sales that opened out before them, or of the shareholders speculating on prompt dividends, or of But what's the use of enumerating ? Hardly an individual in the community but would iv some way, direct or indirect, benefit by the industry. But now, alas! all our hopes are in the dust ; but only for the present, let us hope. As a candid chronicler of th«» truth, I must say I don't like postponements — neither a postponed meeting, nor a postponed dance, nor a dinner ; they seldom come off", and when i they do, they're generally very cold and | very disappointing affairs. This may not, however, be the case of the postponed factory meeting. At any rate, it shouldn't be so, as all the- conditions of success will be quite as good in four months' time as they are to-day. The rabbits will still be frisking abouc, and probably more numerous than they are now. But will the enthusiasm among the settlers keep fresh during that time ? ! I That's the rub. Look at it as you will, I i one can't help admitting and, at the ! same time, regretting that a mistake ' was made in putting the good work off I for a day. Many people, I know, will j agree with me in this ; and those I ' would exhort to hold well together, aud i they will yet have the honour as well as j the profit, let me hope, of caiTying the ; affair through. ' I have been given to understand that ' the committee entrusted with the pro- t motion of the rabbit factory have been i offered three sites, either one of which, 1 • believe would meet all the requirements of the factory. The price, in one instance '■ at least, is pretty stiff, prohibitive, in my opinion, if the success of the enterprise is kept well in view. For one section the price demanded is £25 per acre, and for < the other two £10 per acre. A big difference here in the figures, particularly { as, under the most favourable circum- j stances, there is not likely to be too full i an exchequer to commence operations with. Anything in the shape of heavy expenses at the outset are likely to create a top weight that very often ends in crush- , ing the life out of the industry altogether. : It is, therefore, necessary that the greatest caution should be observed in keeping well within the line and working methodically and carefully, just doing, in facb, what the finances will allow and nothing more. Perhaps, it is presumptuous of me, Mr Editor, to offer advice to men who are well-known to be both careful and experienced in such matters. But, " there's no offence meant," as the little boy said to the farmer when he was caught up iv the apple-tree. We all take an intex-est in the venture, and consider it a duty to give all the help we can in cash or advice. | The frost is still with us, as severe as any I've seen for many winters past. A lot of our young people have taken ad- • vantage of it to go in vigorously for . skating — a fine amusement, by-the-way, ' for those who are light of heart and limb, and can enter thoroughly into the spirit ; of the fun. Butthere's a serious side to ' the matter also, just as there is to almost ' everything else. It reduces the water \ supply of the claims and, therefore, affects ! the dividends. Surely this is quite serious ( enough — for the shareholders. Mine ! managers, you may depend, are at their i wits' ends to meet the difficulty and keep things running smoothly, so that there may be no grumbling or disconteut on the part of over-sanguine shareholders, j You see those gentry make no allowance ' for anything that occurs. A mine man- j ager nowadays, to be really successful, i should be able not only to provide the gold — never mind whether it is in the claim or not — but he should also be able to conti"ol the elements and regulate the ! seasons. The river, too, has been affeotedby the heavy frosts. It is now down yory low, ana will oontinue to fall as long as its sources of supply are ioe- bound. But it is an ill wind that blows nobody good ; and the fall of the river is not without its advantages to a good many miners just now. I regret to have to mention an ugly accident that occurred at the No. 2 Hercules Co.'s claim a day or two ago to a miner named Hugh Irwin, well-known, I believe, at the Blue Spur. In some inexplicable way, while working in the vicinity of the elevator, his foot got jambed in the opening, and though assistance was readily forthcoming the foot sustaiued a severe bruising. Irwin's position for a few minutes was a terribly dangerous one, and badly iujured as he is he was fortunate in escaping with his life. The nature of the accident may be pretty well realised from the fact that the boot on the injured foot was completely torn in pieces, the upper bein» separated from the sole just as if it had been removed with a.n axe, Before he pquld be rescued frqm his, position, the vvater had first to be shut off, the back wash caused by that operation almost drowning the unfortunate man. It is hard to account satisfactorily for accidents of this kind. In this instance it oouldn't have been due to ignorance, as Irwin is a miner of large experience and a pretty cautious man besides. But I suppose accidents will sometimes occur no matter what care is exercised or what precautions are taken, The butchers from Benger Flat to the Beaumont have entered into a com.hin-: ation, and- have resolyed. tq raise the price of meat all rqund. Qf oourse this isn't very joyful news ; still, we have to accept the inevitable or (I was going to say « strike ") knock off eating meat and turn vegetarians, If it were in the fruit season we oould have our revenge ; but the butohers are too wily— they have raised the price at the season when the consumption is the greatest. Don't be surprised if you hear that the miners and others are going to start a butchery on co-operative principles. Teamsters are loud in their complaints

| against the state of the main road from Steele's accommodation house to Evans Flat. In many places, the ruts are both deep and dangerous. I notice that eight and ten horse waggon teams are more frequently to be seen on the main road nowadays than six horse teams. When do the County authorities (intend to put their bye-laws regulating [the number of horses in teams in force r> There is a feeling of regret in this district at the news of Mr Chris. Nash's sudden death at Kaitangata last Friday evening. For somu years Mr Nash worked as a miner at Horseshoe Bend, and lattei'ly was " mine host " at the Bridge Hotel, Beaumont, where hemado many friends and acquaintances, being a general favourite with the public. A * great deal of sympathy is felt for Mrs Nash in her deep affliction.

The entertainment held in the AthenEeum Hall last Thursday evening in aid of the local Football Club was a big success. The vocal aud instrumental selections were good, and the farcical extravaganza was simply immense. I hear that work is entirely at a standstill at the Island Block Extended Oo.'s claim owing to the severity of the frost interfering with the water supply. It is unfortunate that this claim has been hampered in. so many ways.