THE SADDLE ROAD,

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1088, 23 January 1872, Page 2

THE SADDLE ROAD,

[to the editor.] Sir,— Now that all doubt is removed that the road from the Grey to the Inangahua will shortly be commenced, I think that before any particular route is hastily decided on a more careful survey should be made of the Saddle than has yet been done j and that in laying out the new road due regard should be paid to the future aa weil as tp the present. Dr Hector when here last week expressed his opinion that the reefs wpuld be found to follow the ranges towards £he Lyell ; since he gave that as his opinion, a rush has taken place to Boatman's, some miles to the north of Reef ton, thus verifying the doctor's prophecy, and as the indications are very good and the specimen stones exhibited are much richer than anything found in this district up to the present time, there is every possibility of the mining centre of the reefs being some distance below the present township of Reefton. The track which is most in favor at present is the proposed line through Devil's Creek. This would doubtless cut oft' a long distance between the Mia Mia and Reefton, but would be a much more circuitous route thnn the present track to Boatman's and other gullies in the vicinity, and as the present road could be, at a very small outlay, converted into a good dray road, it is certainly worth while considering whither it would not be much more advantageous to the general public and the future welfare of the district to improve the present road than to form a : new one at a large outlay, which in the course of a few months would be found to be valueless for the larger portion of the reefs. Besides, there is the., important fact to.be looked to, that by constructing the xtevil's Greek track the distance from (greymouth to Boatman's would be. lengthened, thus giving Westport an advantage in distance which would materially alter the cost of t transit of goods. It" is' well known that certain'interested parties are strongly advocating tho new route for very obvious reasons ; but, Sir, I consider that the public welfare demands that the route.. which will best suit' the requirements of the greater p^rjbion of the community is the one deserving of the ; most careful consideration, and I trust that the engineers and surveyors entrusted with the work will, in laying out the road, keep this important fact befor* them, and not be biased by the selfish opinions of any individuals who appear to believe that, because they have au interest in that particular line of road^ the whole district must be., guided by their ideas. I admit that the Devil's Creek road is shorter to Reefton than the present. rog,dj but Reefton is only the one end of the reefjng district, and a groat Joss will eventually accrue to Greymquth by making the road away from the centre of the area of country known to contain reefs. ; ■ ; ;; • ... ..■;;■;•:; I trust that the importance of the subject will bo my excuse for bringing, it under your notice, and hope that the master wil). be properly ventilated before anything is decided, I am, <&c., ARebibr. luangahua, Jan. 18, 1872. '