OPEN COLUMN.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 270, 24 April 1886, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN.

We arc at all times ready to give expression to every shade oj opinion, and the discussion of all matters of jniblic interest, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents. v

THE KOAD TO OWEN REEFS. [to thk editor of the lyell timks]. Sir,—l observe in your last issue a letter Binned " Vox Populi," on the subject of the proposed road to the Owen Beefs. 1 have read his statements carefully, and have compared them with the report of your spocial correspondent, and have come to the conclusion that " Vox Fopuli " must have had a hideous dream or drawn considerably upon his imagination for his facts.

As this is a matter that will seriously affect the comfort and convenience of a large \ ection of the mining community, I will trouble you with my views on the subject. As I am not much of an engineer I canno; of course bo expected to give a professional opinion, but am prepared to give a ommoti sense one. In tho first place Vox says that the river jroute will bo two and a-half miles longer than the Maggie's Creek line. This is simply misleading, as I have walked both linos, and do not think there is much if any difference in tho distance to Baigeut's station. Again, ho states thero will be ono and a%ilf miles of rockcutting. Shades of Ceesar! Where can ho find it ? Sir, I have had to travel up and down that route for three or four years, land as many times a week, and fail to discover where the great impenetrable obstacles are to be found. True, I know of two small bluffs, but nothing to speak of. lie says that if theso bluffs are not taken away, the river will have to be crossed six times. Now then, for it—tho river is crossed six times at present, but only for convenience, a3 tho fords are good. Wo received some ±'lsß from tho County Council, aud with this paltry sum we reduced tho number of crossings from thirteen to six. So the routo must bo terribly bad. With.a little more outlay the crossings could be reduced to two. Then he spoaks about floods shifting fords, &c. Does Vox not know that above Baigent's station the river must be crossed four times before coming to this portion of tho road at all. So if there is a flood in ouo part of the stream I presume, it must bo flooded all over; but ho wants toJ«uko it appear that this is the only poraon of the river ever visited by a freshet. Ho says also that on the Maggie's Creek route a low saddle only has to be crossed, aud the slopes both sides do not exceed half a mile, and the grade is only one foot in twelve. This low saddle, as he calls it, is 400 feet above the flats, and as the slope measures only half a-mile, or 2040 foot, I calculate that these figures will give a grado of one foot in six and a-lalf—a protty stiff grade. He also states that gravel can be obtained at a depth of two feet from the surface. Wliere did he get this information from ? There is certainly none visible, and I saw no evdence ! «»i a hole havinjj been sunk, so I conclude : he dreaint this along with the rest.

I uphold your correspondent's opinions and would strongly advise "Vox Popnii" to have a thorough knowledge ot his subject before again rushing into print, and remember the old adage that fools and children should not play with edge tools. The whole matter is the outcome of petty spite, and if the road is made over the saddle it will rertainly benefit only one or two persons very materially. The river road is the roful tor me, as it can he made cheaper, quicker, and be ready for traffic sooner than the other. With regard to the poor quality of the alluvial, I can only say that the wash is nearly all on the surface, and I could always make tucker and a little more without any extra hard graft. I apologise tor so lengthy a letter, but I thought the case of sufficient importance to command it. —I am, &c, Owen Miner. Owen River, April 22nd, 1886.