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Dunstan Times, Issue 500, 17 November 1871, Page 2

The expressions of opinion given at the Warden’s Court, Cromwell, on the application of Elliott and Tickle, for the diversion of a short section of the Main Road near Clyde, to facilitate mining operations, will be cordially endorsed by the public. In the present depressed state of the mining interest,

it is manifestly absurd to throw any obstacles in the way of legitimate work, hut rather should every encouragement be given to the profitable and permanent development cf auriferous wealth, for the general public good. Mr. Bews as a young officer in the public service, may, in his zeal to prove himself a a talented Road Engineer, choose to ignore the reasonable request of a few ‘ paltry miners,’ but in doing so he gives cause for a gentle reminder that his experience, gained as a member of a Road Board, among some primitive settlers at South Clutha, or thereabouts ; is not all ■ ufficient as a guide and precedent in his now more extended field of action. I'o engineers—practical or amateur—too often a road is but a road and nothing more ; they dread the idea of their symmetrically devised plans, and geometrically correct outlines being cut. up to suit the rude demands of t radical exigencies, but in this case no such plea can be offered. The facts are few and simple. Elliott and party have at considerable expense, constructed a race to work ground on the Molyneux, contiguous to the main road. They have struck a lead or rather a continuation of various leads which run underneath the road. The proper working whereof will yield from £lO to £l2 per week per man. The suspension of their labor will render the costly race valueless. They propose therefore, at their own expense, and subject to strict government inspection, to make a deviation in the road, and, as a preliminary measure, have sought the attention of the district engineer to explain their proposed plan of action, and to obtain his sanction thereto. This he has very cavalierly declined. They are hut miners and unworthy of notice ! It would bp impolitic to advocate the indiscriminate catting up of roads; hut in this and similar cases, where it can be shown that no possible public detriment can follow, it is the bounden duty of both ch.efs and subordinates in the Roads and Works department to respect and give instant effect to any reo&onable demands which do noten tail an ext’a outlay of public monies. An appeal to head quarters will pro. bably in the case under nolice, have the desired effect. Mr. Bews as he becomes more familiar with represen'a lives of the mining interest, will doubtless avoid allowing hj s prejudices to warp his bet;er judgment.