The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1860.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 9, 2 March 1860, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1860.

The formation of reads, bridges, and canals has always been the main object of all colonising nations. The most evident signs of which exist to this day, not only in England, but in every country in Europe, Asia, and Africa, where the noble Roman planted his standard. This was the first work done, after an effectual footing had been obtained on the coast. And independent of the four splendid main reads, or streets as they arc called, running frem London through the main parts of tho island, numerous minor reads, and dykes or canals, intersected the island, from one end to the other; by which means cities, towns, and villages sprung up as it were by magic. The reads were mainly used for military purposes, and the dykes, especially on the low parts of the coast, were used for the conveyance of corn and cattle to and from various parts, from the South of England to the NOl them praetenturias in Scotland, for maintenance of forces there. The Romans were enabled, by means of these arteries cf a nation, to reclaim from the sea half the island, and where the sea once held sway, noble towns now take their stand. To the indomitable Roman, Britain owes all this. On the eastern and northern shores, as well as on the southern, are to be seeu

traces of the all-comprehensive mind of this people. It is evident that a general read ran round the whole coast of Britain, .signs of which can be seen near the southern coast from Abbot,shury to Purbeck ; likewise in Hampshire, Sussex, &c. Eastward in Lincolnshire, it can be traced from Ravensbauk to Spalding, through various places, to Boston; from Wainfleet to Burgh ; also from Yarborough, through a dozen places to Winteringham and Aulborough. Independent of these roads, it is undoubted that the Britons had their roads from one state to another. Whitaker says that—

Public roads, leading in different directions from one state to another, or connecting the different parts of the same state; the former must necessarily have existed as the marching ways of the armies, which were so frequently detached by one tribe against another; and the latter must have equally existed as the necessary chain of communication betwixt the several fortresses of the same tribe. But neither one nor the other, neither the smaller nor the greater roads, were likely to satisfy the desires, or answer the exigencies of the Romans —a polite and a politic nation, studious equally of private pleasure and of public emolument.” One writer (in opposition to the great antiquary, Dr. Stukeley, who commends the Romans for preferring durable fords to perishing bridges), says : One essential defect in the construction of these roads was their almost constantly crossing the rivers of this island, not at bridges but at shallows or fords, some of which nature had planted, and others art supplied. By this means travelling on the roads must have been very precarious, regulated by the rains, and controlled by the floods. One of those very rainy nights which are so common in Lincolnshire winters, would raise a considerable depth of water upon the fords, and fix an absolute bar to the progress of travelling. And thus, for want of a few bridges, must the Roman roads have been frequently rendered useless, the military communication between the several parts of the island suspended, and the Roman empire within it exposed to danger. The Romans, however, did not altogether neglect that most essential construction to punctual travelling, for several bridges in Britain are alluded to by Roman writers. The next subject in importance to good roads and bridges, is a rapid and punctual postal service—penetrating into every nook and cranny of the place. The Romans even had this in Britain in a degree. We read that Augustus “ was the first who placed young men at short distances on the different roads to convey intelligence; he afierwards used waggons, as being more expeditious. Inns or mansions for the accommodation of travellers, and ‘ mutations/ where travellers could change their horses,beasts, or waggons, were likewise erected near the roads; and at the end of each mile a pillar was placed, on which was inscribed the number of miles from the last station.”

Where is the progress of modern times to he seen here ? Where are the good roads and bridges ? Where are the finger-posts and mile marks to point out the way and beguile the weary traveller ? For days must he loiter on a river’s bank when a “ fresh ” is on, or return to his last place of refreshment, if his means will permit. Where is the superior postal arrangements? Until the Tasmanian Maid started once a week from Nelson to this province (and this probably will be over at the close of the wool season) the inhabitants of both places had to submit to the slow process of a twice -a-month’s mail; such mail being subject to accidents by flood and field. Where is the “ life-blood ” —the “ manure,” as Mr. Sewell terms the money for the thousands upon thousands of acres sold in this district alone ? Spent in salaries, and in the adornment of the capital and its vicinity, instead of being applied to the making of good roads, the construction of efficient bridges, and the establishment of an efficient postal service

We have been led into these remarks as there is now a road opened from here to Nelson, by which the communication between the two places can be accomplished in one day, with two good horses, and by taking advantage of even this long-deferred opportunity, we might ensure at least a weekly mail by that route.

And besides this communication with Nelson, there could surely be some arrangements made for the vessels which are constantly running between here and Wellington to convey mails. More particularly is this desirable now that the next session of the General Assembly will be held there, and we could so easily be made acquainted with its doings, which will be watched with great interest by all.