THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 997, 6 October 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1871.

We have now for the past two years uninterruptedly advocated the construction of a main line of road up the Grey Valley and across the Saddle to the vicinity of the rich quartz reefs which have from time to time been discovered in the valley of the Inangahua. For the last five years it has been known to us that quartz reefs, supposed to be auriferous, existed in that locality, and that means of carriage alone was wanting to develope a large goldproducing district. So far back as the early days of the Little Grey rush, and the rush over the Saddle, when the township of Kynnersley was established, our special reporter explored the district, and explained in these columns that the country was intersected with gold-bearing quartz reefs, which would, sooner or later, be developed. Reefs were taken no notice of that time, as the hunt was after rich alluvial deposits, and so the once-flourish-ing township of Kynnersley (not so far from the now rapidly-increasing township -of Reefton), gradually sank, until a solitary old turf chimney marked the spot. The miners who crossed the Saddle in those days, did so at risks which human endurance could not often repeat, and 'there is no doubt that the first rush to this country was killed by the want of means of communication. Goods, which had to be packed on miners backs through such a country could only be sold at prices ruinous to the miners, and which completely put an end to all kinds of prospecting. That was five years ago, and in what respect has the condition of things changed since then? In none, so far as the Government, whose duty it was to open up the country, was concerned. The Government that, according to the Superintendent, had made five hundred miles of roads and tracks on the Nelson South- West Gold Fields, has for five years allowed an immense track of auriferous country to lie useless and unproductive to the revenue, and unprofitable to the country as a whole, for the want of a road over the Saddle. Even now, were it not for the gigantic efforts of a few enterprising men, the Reefton would not have been in existence, and the whole Valley of the Inangahua, rich as it has been found to be both in metals and minerals, would have been a terra incognita. To private enterprise alone is to be attributed the opening up of a district which is likely to prove the most promising reefing country in the Colony.

Under these circumstances it is not to be wondered at that an immense amount of satisfaction has been expressed throughout the district at the prospect held out for the immediate formation of a main road up the Grey Valley and over the Saddle into the reefing districts. As mentioned in recent telegrams, this prospect has been held out to us by the representations of the member for the district, who, backed by petitions from eleven hundred residents in the Grey Valley, pointed out the General Government the injustice which was being done to the district by the treatment received from the Nelson Government. This had another aspect which we imagine the imagine the Government was not long in appreciating, namely, that the neglect of the Nelson Government to open up a large tract of auriferous country capable of supporting some thousands of miners, not only injured the revenue of the Province but that of the Colony, and determined that the time had arrived when such a suicidal policy should be put an end to. There was lying to the credit of the Province a portion of what is known as the Middle Island Railway Fund, and as this was not included in the present railway scheme, or likely to be wanted for some time to come, Mr Harrison suggested to the Minister of Public Works the construction of a main road up the Grey Valley out of Nelson's portion of the fund. This is no new scheme for constructing works. Ithasofteri been done before in the Provinces, and especially in Otago, where large loans were obtained from this fund for the making of roads, at a certain rate of interest. In the present casts the placing of a toll-gate on the proposed road would be the means of paying the interest, on its construction and something ove". To the suggestions of Mr Harrison the Minister of Public Works assented, and the Government will, on an early day, ask the approval of the House to the scheme. Thip is not without its difficulties, as it will raise - a very large and important question, '

which the members of other Provinces will only be too glad to take advantage of, No doubt the majority of the Nelson members will oppose the scheme, having in viow the proposed dismemberment of the Province ; but that matter, we think, can be easily adjusted, as should they be compelled to part with the district in which this road is to be made, they would also have to part with a proportionate amount of the Railway Fund, and anything over and above a fair apportionment could easily be charged to the portion of the Province benefited thereby. It is to be hoped this subject will be pressed forward without delay, as there is not a more important piece of work in the Colony ; and should the member for the Grey Valley be successful in carrying it out, he will deserve th 9 best thanks of the entire community.