PAHAUTANUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4352, 2 March 1875, Page 2

PAHAUTANUI.

(from our correspondent.) The settlers here and travellers generally complain of the roughness of the two pieces of road lately made at Porirua, near Mr. Brown’s and Mr. Lowndes's properties. The road is covered with Parramatta metal, a very hard atone that will never hind without something to help it. Some sand from the beach was put on a few months ago, but that is nearly all washed off or sifted through the stones, leaving them loose to roll and shift with the traffic of the road, so that most people prefer taking the old beach road when the tide is out. As the present contract for keeping the z*oad in repair is nearly ended, would it not be advisable for the Government to specify in the new contract that it should he covered with a good coating of soft rook, which could be got from the hill side close to the spot. While on the subject of roads, I would warn travellers against trying to cross Duck Creek at high tide, as jt is .very deep and dangerous, especially at the narrowest part, opposite the old causeway. Many people have had a thorough ducking while crossing, and some have had a narrow escape of drowning in it. Of course, it is tempting to save the long round by the bridge, but it is better to do that than travel in wet clothes for the remainder of the day. No doubt, when the old bridge is worn out a new one will be constructed at the mouth of the river, and the road made in a straight line, as a bridge of about the same dimensions as the present one would now be largo enough to leave sufficient outlet for the water. In the meantime it would not be amiss if a board, with the words “ dangerous ford” upon it, were nailed on the telegraph post which stands on the corner of the old causeway immediately opposite the dangerous place. We have been more or less nearly smothered in smoke for the last few days, owing to the settlers burning off their fell bush. It has, fortunately, been effected without damage to property, and several hundred acres of cleared land will thus be added to the district. Mr. James Walker, of Parramatta, is the largest contributor, having burnt off on Saturday last 250 acres in one block.