The Dunstan Times FRIDAY 22nd FEBRUARY, 1867.

Dunstan Times, Issue 252, 22 February 1867, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY 22nd FEBRUARY, 1867.

rfcncath the rule of men entirely just, tin pen is mightier than the sword!’*

Now that tlio rush at the Haast river may be said to be a success, it is time that thePrevincial Government should take stops to turn to advantage the outlay which they occasioned by the Pyke exploring expedition, which we were given to understand was undertaken for the express purpose of opening up a direct and practicable road between the settled portions of this Province and the West Coast, so as to endeavour if possible, by causing a traffic between the two places to restore to this Province some portion of its lost population. It must be apparent to every one that the gold discoveries on the West Coast will very soon extend themselves to Otago, and if we wish to securo to ourselves the benefits arising thereby, no time should bo lost in opening up a practicable track, across the Snowy Mountains, by way of Lake Wanaka; the Government of Canterbury went to an immense expence to construct a roadway thither, and have profited exceedingly by so doing, and if our legislators are wise, they will adopt a similar course. From what we can learn from parties of diggers, who have been prospecting on tho West Coast, and who havo both gone and returned by Pyke's track, the country, between the mouth of the Haast River, and the head of Lake Wanaka, may be traversed in four days, and no great amount of personal risk, or bodily hardship incurred, beyond what may be expected wben journeying through new country. To make a good pack-horso track, we are credibly informed, an outlay of about three thousand pounds is all that is required, and we are sure that no money could be better spent, for besidos bring : ug trade to our shores, it will bring population also, as all who will seek the new Eldorado aro not likely to bo fortunate in their mining speculations, and who doubtless would be glad to seok some settled place where they could find employment. By this routo, the expences of reaching Otago would be very small, as half a dozen days provisions would bo all that is nc-

cessary, and there are but few diggers who could not muster so much. Arrivals from the West Coast all concur in the ono opinion, that there are many hundreds who would come back, if they could, but on account of the expences of a sea voyage, are unable to do so. By opening up this route, this difficulty would be removed, and the cost would repay itself tenfold; it would not only be a means of increasing the population, but from the trade which would spring up, consequent upon a direct traffic from Coast to Coast. At present our roads may be said to absolutely lead to no where, for there is no great highway through the Province, but with a road to the West Coast, the natural resources of the vast tract of country lying between that, and the head of the Wanaka, which has remained hitherto a 'terra incognito' will become developed, and the wealth of the Province multiplied. Such a work is of more importance, than dredging the harbor of Dunedin, or in making a railway to the Clutha, the necessity of both these undertakings, we certainly do not deny ; still the necessity is by no means a pressing one, and may be postponed for some time. Wc hold that the first principles of a wise Government, especially in a new country, should be, to open up the facilities for population, who will soon test its capabilities, and create capital from what was chaos and confusion ; when such has been done, then it is time to attend to superfluous wants, otherwise we shall be in the position of the man, who having purchased a safe, had nothing to put therein. It. is to be desired that the new Government, whoever thev may be, will devote their attention to developing the natural resources of the country, and pay less heed to demands from clamorous people in Dunedin for the hasty construetionof works, which in the common course of events will construct themselves.