ROAD TO DILLMAN'S.

Kumara Times, Issue 300, 10 September 1877, Page 2

ROAD TO DILLMAN'S.

. [to the editor.] Sir—Permit me a small apace to make a few remarks and suggestions on the subject of the proposed dray road to Dillman’s. It appears to me, Sir, that ever since the road was first spoken of there has been a strong opposition from some of the members of the Road Board against the construction of a road at all to this important and extending portion of the district, showing a very short-sighted jealous and unprogressive policy. I am astonishd at the practical men of business who compose the Board not exerting themselves a little more in pushing ahekd a work so much required, and which would tend more than anything else to develop the vast resources of this district. If there was a good dray road from Kumarato Dillman’s, and a pack track thence to the Christchurch road, it would be the means of opening up a large extent of unprospected country. The liberal encouragement offered by Government for prospecting ought to induce the Council and Road Boards to contribute their share towards forming tracks q enable many of the large population hero to prospect this summer, and I have no doubt, with success to themselves and the public generally, but more especially to Knraara, which is doomed -unless more new ground, and better than what is known at present, is opened next summer. Now, Sir, I would like to know who is to blame for the road not being made Ion«* ago. I for one, with hundreds more” believe it to be the fault of the Road Board, and as a resident of Dillman’s, I cannot remain silent and listen to such a barefaced assertion, as that we are averse to it being made. If those wao say so were living here, and were compelled to travel night and day, at all hours up and down such a track as at present exists, running the risk every- trip of- breaking’ f a limb,; and in many cases there hejve'.H&n narrow escapes of losing life, J imagine the road would have been constructed long since. I think, Sir, it would be a good plan to compel members of Road Board, to travel periodically over roads of their own making perhaps, some of our members from a desire to obey the first law of Nature, might then be induced to keep thir roads in better repair As regards the excuse, published and carefully fostered by some, holding a little brief authority, that a few miners holding claims along the proposed line, require exorbitant compensation, it would be no wonder if it were so, owing to the dilatory manner in which the Board, has acted ever-since was first shewn to them, by means of a numerously-signed petition, the absolute necessity of a dray road, and how and where it could then be made without interfering with the claims. Since then the line baa ’neen j to suit certain individual?, and i temptation has been thri w i io the wav of a few, to apply f,r a .si,a,ro i-, r l m public money, usually squandered io the delays caused, in this instancy I believe by petty jealousy, instead of red tape. It would take pages to enumerate all the benefits to he derived from a good road, hut fearing I have trespassed too much on your limited space (by the bye the IiMES is not'large enough) I conclude trusting you will excuse the length of this letter, on account of the importance of the subject, and the thousand or more hard-working miners, who are principally interested io the matter,—-l am, &c., A Miner op Dillman’s.