KARAMEA ROAD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 255, 29 October 1870, Page 4

KARAMEA ROAD.

To tbe Editor of the Nelson Kvkning MailSir, — Mr. Thos. Mackay, who cut. a walking tiar-k from the Baton to the Kara rot- a, said on his return to Nelson, if the necessity ever arises for making a practicable road into the Karamea, it will have to be made through Mr. Hough's track, let them attempt other routes as ilxyy may, this will eventually have to be taken. Mr. A. Collins, on his '■ return from a trip to the district, when ' asked by the people of Nelsou, what, of : fhe route ? paid, Mr. Hough is right. Mr. ■ Maokay's brother, who accompanied Mr A. Collins, said, tho route is a very pood one, "it is one of the best I have seen over a ': mountain range, no difficulty exists in its ' whole extent, for a cood practicable road. . I am myself now making a road over far worse obstacles than any to be met witb in tbe Hough route." Mr. J. Mackay stated he would guarantee to make a diay road, aod take bis own bullocks and dray over; another gentleman who has several times been over says the same, and also that in tbe middle of winter the snow ou the saddle is never more than a few inches deep, and that on reaching it you are over the saddle in a few minutes, and descending again into the valley below. I did not intend writing again on this subject, but unfortunately for NelsoD, I am told on the best authority, that the new road now being attempted up fo Salisbury's Open is found to be utterly impracticable. Are ; we to remain another and another year, shut cut from that country ? Why not make one trial at least over the Baton route by way of the Skeet ? Your propo sition, sir, last Thursday, with regard to the Board of Woiks lending a helping hand lo Collingwood, is really a good one, and I thought whilst reading it, what a good thing it would he forlselson if they could be induced to lend a helping hand towards opening up the Karamea, by sending over at once Captain Cock, in whom the public have every confidence, together with Mr. Gilchrist, who is so well acquainted with the route, and could at once point out all the best gradients without loss of time, to examine this route and to ! report on it. A fortnight or three weeks ' should be ample time to settle the question, and if found to be as representeJ, < the country might be rendered accessible ■ to us this spring, and probably prove the salvation of Nelson. < Yours, truly, J W. Hough.