HOUNDBURN HILL DEVIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 168, 24 May 1872, Page 3

HOUNDBURN HILL DEVIATION.

(To the Editor of the Motijfci: Ida Chhonicee.) Sib. —In the leading article which appeared in your paper a few weeks ago the Government got a severe rubbing down because it had not made the Houndburn Hill deviation, and in the leading article of the 10th inst. it again gets bullied because it has begun this long desired work. True, it is not the best time of the year for road-making, still, we would think, after so much ado about it—" Better late than never" would be the motto. The fact is this, it is not because it is the worse season of the year for this work, or the matter of cheap labor (had it been taken in hand some few months back), that crabs the Nasebyites, but because the Government have not seen fit to expend some £6OOO in making a new road just to please their fancy at. the expense of all those people who reside on the Maniototo Plains—all of whom must benefit by the line suggested, by Mr. Oliver. I should like to know* sir, what are Hamilton, the Sowburn, all the squatters on. the, Maniototo, and those persons on this road who have gone to expense in building houses and fencing large paddocks for the use of the public, to do if it is to be closed, and anew one made via the Messrs. Sanders' station ? Why, sir, some would be ruined if such were the case, and therefore the Government have acted wisely in adopting Mr. Oliver's line. Supposing all the up-country traffic were to go via Naseby, what actual good would th» sight of a few waggons passing along the road some quarter of a mile outside the town do to the people or the district in general ? And as to. the mail coach being able to make Ivaseby the first stage is out of the question during winter, let the road go which way it may. Another reason why Mr. Oliver's road should be carried through is this—when the Sludge Channel is formed a very large area of gold bearing country will be opened up—hundreds of miners and other people will be located upon it—and no doubt a township will be established on this road at the spot where the Sludge Channel will , cross it, about halfway between Naseby and the Taieri Biver. Therefore, with the probability of such taking place, and seeing the manifest injustice it would be to all the people in the outlying parts of this district, were the road to be made by way of the Messrs. Sanders' station, I think the Government will act judiciously in rejecting the prayer of the townspeople of Naseby, and adhere to the road suggested by Mr. Oliver for the present. A spot in your paper will oblige.—l am, &c, Faxrplat.

(To the Editor of fhe Mount Ida Chronicle.)

Sir,—ln the absence of my husband most.of whose time is necessarily- spent away from home, on me the unpleasant and very painfgl-dutvxesjs. of addressing to you a few'wdi|Pj of remonstrance on the very cruel and untruthful language you used in describing the unfortunate occurrence by which a son of Mr. Ross got severely hurt. The facts of the case, as I have learnt from my little boy, are simply these : —on the day in question Mr. Ross's child and mine were playing together, but at the tjnne of the occurrence they were apart. My son, at the distance of 100 yards, repeatedly called to the child Ross " not to teaze the dog," as he might bite. Mr. Ross's child was then pulling the dog by the tail, jumping on his back, and otherwise teazing the animal beyond endurance, as boys sometimes delight in doing. Directly after, the child's cries brought me out to see what was the matter, when I saw my boy running towards the other exclaiming, " I told you so." The dogwas chained and far removed from any

thoroughfare, on the ground claimed and occupied by my husband's property, for the protection, of which we keep the .dog there. It is the only one we have had for over sis years, and if he had been known to be a ferocious monster, and guilty of biting people before, I have learnt it from you for the first time. My astonishment at this statement of yours led me to enquire if any person bitten by my dog had been treated by Dr. M'Cam bridge. The reply I received was that no such case ever came under his notice. I believe I have also Dr. Dick's permission for denying that he gave expression to the opinion that you have taken the liberty to attach his name to. The animal, while on the chain, is quite approachable to any person having-no hostile intention towards him, and who makes no movement to lift anything ; in fact, sir, I will guarantee you safety if you could be induced to go near him or within the length of his chain. In conclusion, I would ask a little consideration for the few hours spent by my husband at home, and the long intervals before his return would make my loneliness intolerable were it not for feeling a degree of security while I have a dog chained up. I cannot help deploring the bitter and harsh feelings which prompted your description of the. occurrence, and if the destruction of the animal will in any way compensate for the injuries he has inflicted, I will make no objection ; but my circumstances demand that I should have another dog, and one that wont bite in his own defence on the chain will be of little use for protecting property. —I am, &c., Mes. A. Marshall.