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Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 198, 20 April 1867, Page 3

[copy.] "Public Works Office, Hokitika, "19fch February, 18(57. "Sir — I have the honor .to state that I" liave examined tlie country between Groyinouth and Maori Gully, with the view of iscerfeaining the best route for a track connecting tbe town of Greymouth with Maori Sully and the diggings in its neighborhood, md beg leave to make the following report : "The country in a straight line between the two places is of a very broken character, xiid is- not at all suitable *for a track of any description. All -the creeks and ranges run nearly at right angles to this line. The rise from one of the -creeks to the top of the spur adjoining it is 45b" feet in a distance not 3xcoeding 40 chains ; and from another creek j to the top of the spur, running parallel with it; the rise is 410 feet in 23 chains. From the appearance of the country on this line, md on both sides of it,; I am of opinion that no practicable line for a-track exists between it aud the valley^pf the Grey at the coal pits, to' the north, and 'also for a considerable distance tc. the south. " A well-cut'survey line 4mm Greymouth along the dividing range separating tlie water sheds of -the Omutamnta and Still water Creeks, from- the water sheds of the Stillwater Crook and New River (all of which are auriferous) would be of great service to miners working on those 1 , creeks and their branches, and would tend to open up the country; but the height to- which such a line must necessarily rise, and the scarcity of shingle in many places along the top of the range, rentier it an unsuitable route on which to construct a permanent track connecting Greymouth with Maori Gully. "The line of road at present in use by the valleys of the Grey and Arnold to the Arnold toM'nship, and thence to Maori Gully (although now in very bad order) would, besides being the best line for a road to Maori Gully, be most valuable to .the Province for the following reasons :— Good gradients can be got for a road through its entire length, and although .the ground is in portions very boggy, it is not worse than would have to be gone over by any other route. It would connect (Drey mouth with the coal field, the Twelve-Mile, and other diggings in the Nelson Province, and if in good order would cause tlie trade of that gold iield in supplies and gold to flow permanently through Greymouth, and it would also be a large portion of a road connecting Greymouth with the Lake Brunner district, the Tcremakau, and the main road from Hokitika to Chvistehurch. — I am, &c, (Signed) Alkx. Aitjcen*.