Correspondence.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 772, 24 March 1870, Page 2

Correspondence.

[We do not in any way identify ourselves with the opinions of correspondents,] BRIDGE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PORT AHURIRIAND THE WESTERN SPIT. TO THE EDITOR OE THE HAWKE's BAY TIMES. Sir, —Many-tongued rumor has it that at last the long deferred project of bridge communication between Port Ahuriri and the Western Spit is likely to be realised. It would, T think, be difficult to over-estimate the immense advantage likely to accrue from the realisation of such an undertaking. Taupo, via Haroto and Tarawera, being the recognised base of military operations, and the route by which supplies are forward ed to the various posts established along, and (at present) beyond, the telegraph line, will, without doubt, become the centre of numerous settlements radiating therefrom, of which—in one direction at least— Napier will become the natural out let. Therefore, the best of comma nication becomes absolutely necessary for purposes of traffic and interchange of town and country commodities. Not regarding facile means of trade only (thus ensured), we must remember that there is a large and—but for war paralysis—flourishing settlement at Wairoa menaced by, and as far as a good deal of property and some lives are concerned, at the mercy of Uriwera or other marauders, who possibly may pounce down, hold high and hideous carnival, drinking hot rum by light of" burning houses, murder stragglers, drive off some cattle, and— exeunt! We all remember the Mohaka catastrophe, the unexpected evil tidings, great bustle, and slow progress of Pakeha avengers to the "Front." Hours upon hours were wasted in crossing to the Western Spit alone. What if, equally unexpectedly, Wairoa be assailed, and sea communication—as is frequently the case—is impossible ? Why, probably another 7 or 8 hours would be spent in crossing men and material, if the tide suits ; and then the painful pursuit of an enemy secure in his fastnesses. These disagreeable probabilities are not capable of obviation completely by bridge communication with the other Spit, but time would be saved, and time, in instances of this kind, indicates life. Apart from these considerations, however, the inauguration of such a work as the one in contemplation would give impetus to the local labor-go-cart, which begins to move slowly and creak a little even in Na pier, and worse, much worse, in Auckland. It will find the "road hard to travel, I believe " the ensuing winter. I do not imagine that expense in this instance would be excessive as compared with other Government works ) besides, unlike many of the former, it might be made reproductive. The establishment of a toll at a low rate, with increased commerce (which will be) would probably in our time repay the enterprise and public spirit manifested by the projectors. I believe, and my belief is founded upon the fre-quently-expressed opinions of competent authorities, that £6OOO would be amply sufficient to carry out the scheme in its entirety; and constructiveness is not so utterly wanting among the bumps of the Provin cial cranium but that men would be found, and that quickly, both able and willing to carry out this v, or k of necessity, which would redound to the benefit and future prosperity of Hawke's Bay generally. —I am, Sir, yours truly, ."Progress. Napier, March 23, 1870.