HOW NOT TO DO IT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 133, 5 June 1872, Page 2

HOW NOT TO DO IT.

To the Editor op the Nelson Evening- Mail. Sir,— ln reading the Superintendent's speech, delivered at the opening of the present session of the Provincial Council, I was led to believe that the Government had at last been compelled to recognise the paramount importance of opening up the Upper Buller district for settlement. The passages referring to reducing the cost of living in this district seemed to me to point to some improved mode of carrying produce and merchandise into the interior, and I fully expected to see some plan brought forward for initiating the construction of a cart road, and a sum placed on the estimates for the purpose. Little did I think that bridle tracks (radiating, &c, &c), to facilitate the driving of stock, was all that 'was contemplated. Truly, a better way how not to do it could not have been devised, for meat is tbe most reasonable in price of any article of consumption on the diggings, and these bridle tracks will leave flour, and other produce and merchandise as costly as ever. The proposal to give these imaginary settlers-without-a-road employment half their time at road work, and thereby " add to the small amount they may earn at gold digging " (see Treasurer's speech) is an insult to the workers and producers of the Province. They do not require any such patronising assistance, or Government relief at all. What they do want is the Government and the Council to make just land laws to facilitate itß possession by bona fide settlers, and to keep it out of the jaws of land sharks ; and a road to get to their land. Coining new phrases about special settlements, is mere dap-trap until such a

road is made, and when this is done settlement will follow as a matter of course. Tours, &c, James Grove. Nelson June 4, 1872.