ROUTE TO THE WEST COAST.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 234, 26 July 1865, Page 3

ROUTE TO THE WEST COAST.

The following is extracted from the 4 Southland News': — " The Christchurch 4 Evening Mail' says: ' "\Ve learn from private sources that the Otago Government have commenced to build a small steamer on the Wanaka Lake, which it is expected will be finished in six weeks. The steamer is to be employed on the Lake, and by it overland passengers to our West Coast goldfields from Otago will be saved the bad part of the journey. Our readers, doubtless, remember that some time ago the Otago Government caused surveys to be taken of the country between Lake Wanaka and the Canterbury goldfields, with a view to opening up direct overland communication between these fields and Dunedin. That Government is confident of having a complete line of communication between the Hokitika and Dunedin open in a few weeks, and is, we understand, in hopes to succeed in establishing a gold escort down to Dunedin.' We are very much afraid our contemporary has discovered a mare's nest. There is little fear of Dunedin doing anything of the kind, as she has been unable to finish what roads she has already taken in hand, and she knows too well the cost of forming mountain tracks to attempt to make a road to Hokitika. Only those who know the extremely rugged nature of the country along the proposed line of route can appreciate the difficulties that would have to be contended with in forming a road; and moreover, if made, it would be fully three times the distance to Dunedin than to Christchurch, and the attractions of Dunedin, we think, are scarcely powerful enough to induce people needlessly to undertake a lengthy and toilsome journey. In fact, if Christchurch can be brought within a three or four days' journey of Hokitika —and there seems every probability of such being the case—the route to Dunedin via Christchurch would be preferable, as there is a good made road and coach communication the whole way between those two cities. After all we believe that the sea will be the route most in favor, as it must certainly be the cheapest; and had we a tug-boat like the 'dear departed' Favorite, no doubt the large steamers would make it their business to call here regularly ; but as it is at present, it is impossible to hold communication with them even should they arrive."