CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 July 1861, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Hay Times. Sib, —In welcoming the publication of a second newspaper amongst us, I deem it right not to let slip the opportunity of offering a few remarks on the natural features of this fine Province as regards road-making, which lias been so horribly mismanaged, and is still going on in the same -way. First, why not have carried the road direct to Pakowhau by the hanks of the Tutaikuri, and placed tk. punt at the crossing-. place known as the Queen’s Ferry, . nr ting any where between the junction of Hydera-bad-road and Carlyle-street and the “ Town Hall Reserve,” and continued the road direct up country by one line—the middle line, which is acknowledged by all settlers, except the Te Ante influence to be the shortest and best, instead of the absurd way that thousands have been spent, 70 miles from Napier, in trying to make roads through impracticable swamps. Such road, had it been started from the Port in that direction, would have given facility to all settlers on the Meanee river and all inland settlers to drive their produce, wool, &c., direct to the Port, which they cannot do at the present day. Let the powers that he and military authorities take a walk on the top of Scinde Island, and they will there see both where permanent harbour improvements and roads ought to have been commenced and carried into the South of this fine Province. Had the road that was promised and laid out on the map by Mr. Domett (Hyderabad-road) been made, and the road from thence, as previously described, there would now have been every facility for moving he ,vy ordinance, stores, and soldiers into the country, which might for a time he protected by the settlers themselves, providing they run their sheep together. What I would recommend is, that all stock he brought within the gorge, on the middle road, thence to the pah on the Te Ante line, called Te Awateatua, thence to Mr. , Me.Lean’s station, Maraekakaho, thence to Mr, Dowry's station, thence to Puketapu, thence to Captain Heaton’s homestead, thence to Mr, Mc.Carthy’s at Petane, which would graze all the flocks in this Province for years, and could he easily defended against any Waikatos or other enemies that might attempt the destruction of this Province.

These hints I humbly suggest for the consideration of my fellow settlers, the military authorities, and the Provincial powers that be. Yours truly. Old Colonist. , Napier, June 2nd, 18G1.