ROAD FROM AHAURA TO CHRISTCHURCH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1091, 26 January 1872, Page 2

ROAD FROM AHAURA TO CHRISTCHURCH.

[to the % editor.] Sir-— Having just made a tour over the Pass between the the head-waters of the Ahaura and the Waiau, I was so much impressed with many advantages "which would accrue both to the inhabitants of the Grey Valley and of the plains on the eastern side of the range, that I have determined to ask you to publish a short account of the route; so as to awaken public interest on the subject. Starting from Greymouth, the r.iad would pass through Ahaura, and thence along the north side of the Ahaura river. A track was made some time ago through the Ten-mile Bush, but its. original faulty construction and subsequent neglect have left it now in a more disreputable state. Fortunately for me, the weather, when 1 passed over it, had been fine for a few days, which enabled me to get through without much difficulty, but it is a most abominable piece of road, and must be dangerous in bad weather. At the end of the Ten-mile Bush, the route now leads to the river, which, in dry weather, is easily forded, but in floods, a track has to be cut through the bush on the north side of the river. This place is called Starvation Point ; thence to the foot of the Pass is a distance of about 28 miles, allowing for crossing the river, &c. This part of the route is at present liable to interruption in time of floods, which also frequently wash away the track, causing much trouble to drivers of stock. From my observations I am inclined to think that a good and safe track could easily be formed on the north bank, sufficiently raised above the highest 'flood, as to be a permanent work, and thence to the top of the Saddle, a height of about 700 it, a good gradient could be obtained. I estimate that a track along the route I have indicated could be made, say half a chain wide, through the bush, for about LSO a mile, . affording a capital road for driving all kinds of stock at any time o.i the year. On the eastern slope of the saddle there is comparatively little wanted, and I dare say the district road board would readily carry out the work on this part of the road as far as Count de la Pasture's station, from which there is a good dray road to the Waiau bridge, where the road branches north to Nelson and south to the Huruniu, joining the Christchurch coach road. I think, therefore, Sir, I am warrantee in asserting that this important rout< could be opened for cattle at.thesmal outlay of L2OOO, and could confer verj great benefits on consumers of meat it the Grey Valley, up to the reefs and dowi to Greymouth. That a coach road t< connect Christchurch with Greymoutl could be easily made is a matter of cer tainty, and one which would., ftaye $i< great advantage of being easily kept ii repair, as it would not have to cross an] rivers of importance save the Ahaura which could be cheaply bridged, and con sidering the probability of a line of roa( soon being completed from the Reefs tc Westport, that town too would be placec in easy communication with bpth Nelsoj and Christchurch. However, this is i question which I shall leave in your hand; for discussion, my immediate object beinj to urge the importance of getting th not require a great deal of either timi or money, and I am sure all who knov the wants of the district will see the im mense benefits it would confer upon it, Yours, &c., Viator. \