THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1048, 5 December 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1871.

Feeling still runs high in town regarding the relative merits of the proposed rival routes of the main road from Greymouth to Marsden, and the discussion which took place in the Borough Council on the question will at least have the effect of bringing a number of facts to light which were not before generally known. We asree with Mr Kennedy that on a question of this nature, where bucli a diversity of opinion exists - among the- residents that a deliberate decision can only be arrived at which will be for the permanent benefit of the town and district by the fullest possible ventilation of the subject. Whether the opinions of the residents will be regarded or not at headquarters is shown by the fact that the final determination of the Government regarding the selection of the route is delayed until the return to Wellington of the representative of the District, who is supposed to have a better knowledge of the wauts and opinions of the residents than any official resident at Wellington can possibly have. The Borough Council has been censured for interfering in questions of this nature, but we think very unjustly, because they are the only properly constituted body in our midst, and if they are not to be permitted to give an expression of opinion upon a subject which materially aftects the future prosperity of the residents who elected them, or if they do not properly represent public opinion, the sooner they are called upon to resign the better. The road question does very seriously affect the welfare not only of the district, but of the ratepayers in the town, and the Borough Council is only doing its duty when it publicly records its opinion on such matters. It waf owing to the discussion we have referred to that the fact became generally known that at present the General Government do not contemplate carrying the Oinotumotu route further than the Raee-eourse, and that there ia every probability, as pointed out by Mr Kennedy, of a rival township to Greymouth springing up in that neighborhood. There is a tendency with some to sneer at this idea, but it is a fict nevertheless, and the public ought to be made aware of it. So far it has not been the intention of the General Government to continue the Oinotumotu road further towards the town than the Bace-course, but to continue it up river to the Arnold road, so as to form an inland main road, irrespective of any connection with Greymouth other than what the railway will afford. We have positive authority for stating that the District Engineer has not been instructed to carry the survey of the Ornotumotu route further than the point we have mentioned, and that the plans and specifications now under preparation do not embrace any portions of the road between the town and the Omotumotu. The inference is obvious— that the General Government does not consider it to be its duty to do more than construct interior roads, leaving the local authorities to make their own connection with them. Thus, if the Omotumotu route is selected, it will be duty of the County authorities to make the portion leading to the town, or for the Borough Council to make aa much of it as is within the Borough. r Now this little bit of road is perhaps about the most costly portion of the whole woi'k on account of the immense amount of deep rock cutting that will have to be undertaken. And if the cost of this is to be added to the estimated cost of the Omotumotu route, it will probably be found that the saving in cost by choosing the direct line will be very considerable. The General Government appears to hold that so for as it is concerned its duty will be done connecting the town of Greymouth with the Coal Mines by a railway, and that anything beyond this must be done by the local bodies. It is well to mention these facts, in order that the public should not be led astray by erroneous impressions. Whilst on the question of roads, we may state that we have been favored by W. H. Harrison, Esq., with the perusal of a telegram he received from the Minister of Public Works yesterday, which is to the following effect ?— " The Government will take immediate steps to ascertain the best mode of expending the £24,000 for roads on the South West Gold Fields, and will have the Brunner Railway commenced as soon as possible."