ARE THE OPAWA AND OMAKA RIVERS UP TOGETHER ?

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 135, 6 July 1880, Page 4

ARE THE OPAWA AND OMAKA RIVERS UP TOGETHER ?

To the Editor. Sir,—Anyone who has the slightest doubt about this may inspect the state of the rivers to-day. The Opawa, Ornaka, Wairan and Taylor rivers are all in flood ; thu Opawa is bank high at Fell’s wharf; tho Omaka overflow is 12 inches deep on Grovo Road, opposite to Draper’s butchers’ shop ; the Taylor overflow on the South side of the Maxwell bridge is IS inches deep, and the Wairau is not fordable.—-Yours, &c„ Observer. Blenheim, July sth, ISSO. A VOICE FROM THE WAKAMARINA RIVER. The road up to this place is almost impassable, and considering that this districts has been a gold field for over 10 years, it appears queer that it should have been neglected for so long a time; this negligence on the part of somebody is really the causo of the country not being properly prospectpected and opened up, and thus offering a good living for perhaps hundreds cf men, foi it is so well-known that gold abounds everywhere about, hut the want of easy transit in the shape of a reasonably good road, in order to transport machinery and provisions, hinders many outsiders from going into the business. This great want makes the price of provisions really absurd compared to town prices, as all goods have to be packed on horses, at great danger and risk. The Gorge Claim Company had to spend several days in repairing the road before they could make a start with their machinery, and then with the utmost difficulty accomplished a task which appeared on the face of it almost impossible. This appears very hard when private individuals have to repair roads, etc., whilst at the same time they have gone to some considerable trouble and expense to develope the material resources of the district; surely there must he something wrong somewhere. For many years this part of the province has held a population of miners, and it appears to most of us that we have been Badly neglected by our representative, Captain Kenny. No doubt he could explain this to our satisfaction, as we are extremely loath to impute such a charge to this gentleman, who has represented our district for years, and is still held in high esteem about hero. Another thing I would like to mention i 8 that it must be remembered the “ Wakgmarina ” is the leading goldfield in Marlborough, and if facilities were only offered in the shape of a good road, this has been Aha cry for 16 years, r.o more prosperous diggings could be found in New Zealand. Really it is a pity and a shame to sec such a fine gold bearing district utterly shutout from ail easy communication with Havelock, for the want of a paltry £6OO. This sum would make a good road and repay tho Government twenty-fold.' Stuck in the Mud.