NEVIS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 501, 24 November 1871, Page 2

NEVIS.

{FrOM ora CORRE?rONDF.NT.' At the lust meeting of oar Progress Com* rnittee, a resolution of considerable importance to the residents of this district, and also to those, who may have occasi n to travel through it, was proposed l>y Mr. G. Stratford and unanimously adopted, the following is a copy— “ Seeing that the sum (100/.), voted by (he I’rovincialGovevnnient is inadequate to effect the necessary improvement? on the r. ads from Clyde and Cromwell to Nevis, an ! also, that hither'o, nearly all of the monies voted for road purposes have been expended in the vicinities of Clyde and Cromwell, and that the ira mediate requirements of the Nevis have been totally neglected to the great disadvantage and inconvenience of the residents, it is only just and reasonable that the above mentioned sum of 100/ should he expended in improving the bridle track he tween the Nevis township and the Upper terrace, and also in erecting a foot bridge across the Nevis river.” There can he no doubt of this being a move irr the right direction, and it is ordy a wonder that some such action has not been taken long ago, as the state of rite track between the places mctilioned in the resolution hj is 1 ecu a standing complaint -versince this goldfield was opened. It requires a horseman possessed of considerable nerve and of total obliviomstress to t! e sufferings of Ins quadruped, to ride up and down the various “ pinches ” which Ire must negotiate in travelling along this track, and the stragglings of the heavily laden pack horses used by the storekeepers to carry goods and provisions to their customers up the river, is painful to behold. The case of the man who has to “ hump ” his swag, is simply awful to contemplate, and if the invocations of sweating humanity were of arry avail, our paternal government would be in full possession of a particularly warm billet in a region where honorariums and salarie- are unknown. There have been -aany narrow escapes from drowning in tire Ntvis river, hut happily, we have as yet had no occasion to add any names to the dreadful list of the drowned which this colony presents ; hut this consolatory reflection is liable to be dispelled at any moment, and it is more through Inck than good management that it has not been so, long ere this time, as we are tota'ly destitute of any of the ordinary means whereby such calamities are prevented. This does not say much for the way in which the requirements of the district have been at ended to. Two foot bridges would, in a great measure, obviate the danger of crossing the river. These bridges could he constructed at a very trifling cost, arid if put at the proper places, would confer a valuable convenience on tire residents i n the east bank (f the river , as well as on the parties that are working in the ranges. At presen 1 , if they have any husmess to transact at the stores or pnstofike, they have to undergo the inconvenience of getting wot to the middle. If tie river is flooded, (and at this time of the , year it is frequently so), they have to"V wait till it subsides or run the very irnminent risk of being drowned. It is to be * hoped that the comm'ttce will be successful in its endeavors to make these dangers and inconveniences things of the past. The affairs of the library and reading room are progsessing favorably, and there is every prospect of the building being completed before Christmas. I am informed that the Mayor and some of tiro townsfolk rf fro Duustan have subscribed liberally to this Institution. Mining matters wear much the same aspect as they did at the date of my last communication. All at e working away, taking what they can get cheerfully, and Ik pc • fully looking fer more. The ranges in tiro neighborhood of the North Polo arc attractin'! sniao attention just now, and I am I told that some of the parties.tj ere are making “ small wages."