LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Southland Times, Issue 1582, 24 May 1872, Page 3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

THE DUNEDIN ROAD. Sib, — Having just made the journey from Popotunoa to Invercargill, I would, through the medium of your columns, call attention to the state of the roads, which cannot in many places be traversed without imminent risk, particularly by such a conveyance as a coach having more than two horses. As an instance, while en route for this place, on arriving at the second pinch, known as " Williamson's Pinch," beyond the Mataura Bridge, not liking the appearance of the steep gully on one side, and the deep watercourse on the other, I fortunately induced the man who accompanied me to get down, giving him the whip for the purpose of making my leaders "go for it" in case, as it proved, the powerful break should not be sufficient to steady the trap. When fairly Btarted, the coach commenced sliding at such a rate that my polers were quickly abreast of the leader, and but for my precaution and free use of whip, I must have gone over. As it was, we got to the bottom more speedily than pleasantly ! On the pinch alluded to there is but just sufficient space for one vehicle to pass up or down. Between the Mataura and Halfway Bush the wheels were mostly half spoke deep in mud, and at the corner of the fence in sight of Mr Bl'lntosh's hotel the horses were to the knees in mire ! Unless some* thing be done speedily the road at this spot will be impassable. It is to me decidedly a matter of astonishment how the mail contractor, Mr M'lntyre, succeeds in delivering his mails so punctually. I certainly think Dr Menzieß and the members for Southland would be but doing simple justice to their constituents, and the travelling community at large, were they unanimously so to press this matter as to induce the Government to place two men between Popotunoa and Mataura, and before the winter fairly sets in to see to the bog hole alluded to by the fence near Halfway Bush. I would particularly call attention to the Popotunoa Gorge, as- the late accident and miraculous escape with life of Shepherd, the waggoner, should prove a warning. By two chains of fence a like calamity may be avoided. At foot of this " pinch," and entrance of Gorge from Invercargill side, there is a most dangerous creek, from its frequent flooding, which sadly requires a bridge. Again, the creek nearest Popotunoa is in a frightful state — abrupt drops on either side into the stream ! The bed of this creek requires' paving, which can be done at a comparatively trifling cost, as stone can be got so near that the men quarrying could pitch it where required. When we take into consideration the facts that the mail coach has to pass this dangerous spot night and morning, in darkness that may frequently almost be felt, and that the overland traffic has lately increased to very considerable magnitude, surely the least we have a right to expect is that Government will enable us to make our journeya without insuring our lives. The treasury during the past 18 months has received some considerable sums from the sale of the Clinton township sections, suburban lots, and Wairuna lands, and in common justice should make these places I have pointed out passable.— I am, &c. r BIGHD. AJuLSS. Invercargill, 20th May, 1872.