HIGHWAYS AND BYEWAYS.

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

HIGHWAYS AND BYEWAYS.

[ c o :> i b i n u r ed.J Having passed through Recfton, and sounded all the depths and shoals of honour there, I interviewed Boatman's, and found mining matters looking up, and that a fresh tide of prosperity was predicted in a few months. Under such conditions it is no wonder that interested men are working with.; will, and are trying to bring idealistic notions to a practical and satisfactory conclusion. Undoubtedly, from the reasons advanced by skilled persons, there are indications of a tide of prosperity which will make amends for past troubles. Yet, as becomes peri patetic philosophers, we journey on. and endeavour to find objects of interest on e very hand. But the most observant gaze fails to find any topic of interest from Boatman's to Gallagher's. All I discovered was a recalcitrant pi-*, driven by tnree Celestials, who cleverly conducted the succulent porker to his long home. Not being interested in the coming feast I moved toward; my destination, which was none other than the Lyell. Yes, thought I, a j . pressing along aubridged roads, fording creeks, &c, surely this is not one ot the oldest alluvial mining districts on the West Coast ? Yet, history says so, because it is on record that the erold discovery dates back as far as 1858. It was then that these alluvial creeks began to attract the miners, who were scattered along the banks of the Lyell, Bulier, Matakitaki and Maruia rivers. But the question comes most pertinently why under such marked prosperity as was shown by the increase to the revenue ; why, then, after the lapse of years, has not more been done by a paternal Government for the benefit of the people; True, a most magnificent pioneer work it is to cut a road through the primeval forest, and open up new country. Yet, it must be conceded that the revenue derived great benefits, which should to a large extent have been spent in improving such a road and making it passable. The surprise therefore is gn a: to he stranger, who has travelled in favoured districts, to find that the approaches to the famous Lyell are a disgrace to the powers that be. Before coming to the ferry acrobatic and aquatic performances of no mean order have to be gone through before terra firma is gained. It requires some resolution to ford a foaming torrent, when perhaps a false step may land you at the terminus ot a precipice, or at least on the broad of your back. To dance upon nothing a c the end of a rope is said to be a fatal termination to life's journey, but to hang on to a wire which is stretched over a roaring torrent, by way of a bridge, is prolonged agony; yet such is the way our governing powers bring pedestrians to the Lyell. How the petticoats manage, this deponent knoweth not. From Junction to the ferry is a monotonous journey. The harvest of a quiet eye is a rich one, as there is nothing to distract it, and the weary traveller is glad to find a few flowers and shrubs at Junker's. These gladden the heart, yet fail to appease the stomach. Pleasant it was to see a well-managed equipage, driven bv Mr Innes-Joncs, the popular incumbent of Reefton. He seemed sorry indeed that we were travelling in different direction-. I was a little sad also; but alter a few kind word- and counsel as to the

roads and other matters, I pursued the lonely and stony way " Vet, hope springs exultant ]n the ImiilMn breast! ' For his last words wefo,'" The Lyell is a beautiful place." Whenever I hear of a ferry I think of the ancient river Styx ; also of Charon, and of his facility in taking us over the Btream. This ferry is in the hands of a man who lands his passengers safely enough on a shore, which leads not to hot sulpherous lakes, but to regions alpine in their nature, and golden in their history. Mr Larson, who five years ago took possession of this really valuable property, is a man of large experience and nautical skill, and has accomplished considerable success. From his excellent spirit and disposition he is justly respected by all parties ; personally this gentleman showed me (under raining circumstances) much hospitality, and from his- kindly directions I made my real acquaintance with the Lyell. Yet this ferryman thinks that the time has come when ferries like tolls should be of yesterday, and bridges a comfort and aj oy for ever. Having crossed, we stood on new soil, and became aware of new conditions as regards situation, and with wonder we saw the Lyell, different in every way to what wc had expected. Straight ahead was a romarkable clean village, or township, yet giving no disclosure as to the treasures which lay scattered by. I Beautiful, indeed, in the lowering sunshine, lay the habitations and also' the winding road referred to. Perhaps | distance lends enchantment to the view. Yet, upon npproach, the town is very much as it seemed from the first glance. In my future writings I will speak more fully of the real blessings which will be seen on the Coast when the great Railway Scheme will be a fact recorded. In the meantime every struggle should be made to have a bridge across the Duller at Larson's Punt—by doing so comfort will be established, and probably many lives saved.

[Conlinnatiot. of News, see 4th Pa^e.]

A BOY HERO.

The Waimate correspondent of the Christehurch Tress, telegraphed on the Bth instant the following :- An act of bravery, and one that deserves some recognition, was performed at the Waimata fire by a boy named Evan Fox, eleven years of age. A man named Sullivan and his family occupied one of four cottages, and though the fire missed tHe three first cottages it somehow caught that occu pied by Sullivan. Sullivan was busy at the time trying to remove an entire horse to a place of safety, when little Fox rushed up and told Sullivan that his house had caught fire, and that his children, seven in all, were in bed. Sullivan rushed to the house, and found that his wife and two of the children were safely outside, but that five others were in bed, and that the flames had already reached the bed clothes. Sullivan caught up three of the ch I.r jn and rushed to the back door with them, but before he could get out, little Fox, who had fearlessly entered the burning building took up one of the two re- j maining children, and in a remarkably short space of time conveyed his burden to a neighbouring paddock. Fox darted back to the house again, and saw Sullivan make a fruitless attempt to get out of the back door, which was surrounded with flames. Quick as thought young Fox was through the burning door and away past Sullivan, and was seen to pick up another child that had been conveyed to the front part of the house. A moment afterwards Fox was seen trotting towards his own home, carrying one naked child in his arms, and with another running at his heels. Following the example of young Fox, Sullivan escaped by the front door. Sullivan expresses himself in terms of the deepest gratitude towards Fox, and attributes the saving of the five children's lives entirely to the timely warning of Fox and the little fellow's truly noble and brave action. I have made careful inquiries and talked with several eyewitnesses of the courageous conduct of Fox, and give the above particulars as actual facts. While a number of people were standing looking on at the building being consumed, and while they seemed helpless as soon as it was known the five children were in the greatest danger of being burnt in their -beds, the little lad Fox had preseneo of I^^'n^^ l TiiiP rr ''fr " Il ' rr^l " an d emerge burning building twice, and after he had rescued the children, his first thought and action was to convey them to his own home. Such conduct on the part of a boy eleven years of age is not only worthy of being placed on record, but worthy of some substantial recognition.