The Southland Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 901, 17 February 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1868.

The recent floods in the neighboring provinces which have been attended with such fearful loss of life and destruction of property should lead; the different governments of the colony to think seriously as to bridging the rivers on the main lines of traffic. Fortunately Southlaud has escaped the fearful disasters that during the late storms have been attended with fatal consequences in Otago, Canterbury, and other places. Still that is no reason for us to lull ourselves into a feeling of security against similar visitations. There are deep rivers, and treacherous fording places that suggest the idea that at any moment reports of like disasters may be received, equally as deplorable as those experienced in the Oamaru, Dunedin, and Canterbury districts. The Main North Boad crossing at the Oreti is dangerous in the extreme. It is situated about forty miles from InvercargiU, and all the traffic to the Lake District, and a large pastoral country, have to pass it. It is one of the chief highways of the province, and therefore should be rendered as safe as possible. We are informed that the only available ford ia composed of shifting schale; that in the event of a flush the ford is most dangerous; that during the recent rains laden drays have been compelled to remain for days on each Bide of the river; that other conveyances have been also detained, and the inter-provin-cial mails crossed at the imminent risk of life. A number of travellers, foot and horsemen, have during the period alluded to been compelled to seek the hospitality of the squatters, at a time when urgent business required their presence elsewhere. Although no lives are reported to have been lost, there has been many narrow escapes, and great inconvenience experienced. It must be agreed that it is very necessary that a bridge should be constructed across the Oreti, at the North Ford. The banks of the river near the present crossing are believed to be of a nature to offer facilities for the construction of a substantial bridge at a small cost. The question is, can the Government afford to undertake the work ? Its available means for some time to come have already been appropriated; still it appears possible that it might be accomplished. There is a large area of unsold land in the vicinity of the site that would most likely be selected for the bridge, the traffic is large, and if the Government were to : decide upon carrying out the work upon the system of leasing a certain quantity of land, with the bridge dues, for a certain period, itis probable that parties would come forward willing to erect one during the present year. As far as the system has been tested, it appears to have worked well. The New Eiver Bridge, erected at individual cost (a lease of surrounding land being the equivalent) has proved of great convenience to the public, without encroaching upon the Provincial Government funds. Would it not be advisable to adopt it in this instance ? If this could be accomplished, and we believe it could, the Province would be greatly benefited. A large portion of the wool that is now sent to Dunedin, would be brought to Invercargill, and the chief, if not the whole of the Lake District trade secured, if a good bridge was made over the dangerous Oreti, at the north ford. The numerous pastoral settlers and others located in this District are entitled to greater consideration than they have yet received at the hands of the Executive, and if there was no other reason for urging the Government to at once take actior this of itself should be a sufficient inducement to lead it to leave no stone unturned to supply a want so urgently felt. But there are many others. The town business would be increased, the railway more fully employed, and the Bluff shipping enlarged. We would urge the Government to give the subject its serious attention