ROADS AND RAILWAYS.

Southland Times, Issue 1696, 31 January 1873, Page 3

ROADS AND RAILWAYS.

TO THK EDITOR OF THE TIMES. SlB, — In April, 1871, a correspondent of yours reported a large meeting held then at Winton for the purpose of celebrating the institution of the Winton Farmers' Club. Among the numerous resolutions proposed and carried at that meeting was one urging the formation of the Wrey's Bush Roai. In his review of the resolutions, your correspondent predicted that the cost of this road would be more than m<»t by the demand for land which the decision to construct it would, in his opinion, certainly cause. He will therefore no doubt be gratified to hear of the extensive sales of land (over 12,000 acres at 20s per acre) lately made along the line of the road in question — caused to some extent no doubt by the Government advertisement calling for tenders for its construction. I would strongly recommend the purchasers of land on the Oreti Plains, as well as the settlers generally in and around Winton, to draw the attention of the Government to the necessity for bridges on the Oreti and Aparima Rivers. Now is their time to press a demand — with so much to recommend it that I can Lardly imagine a Government so obtuse as to be unable to perceive its reasonableness, nor so ingenious as to frame an excuse plausible enough to carry them, with anything like credit, through with an at tempt to evade it. That these bridges are much required might be evidenced by a largely-signed memorial ; and it might be pointed out that a considerable revenue is being derived from the district that requires them, by waj of proof that the funds with which to build them are not ; awanting. Said correspondent in said report of said Winton meeting also pointed out that a good road east from Winton through the Gap to the Hokanuia was much wanted, and that its construction, by causing land sales, would more than recoup the Treasury for any outlay involved. But this road is no longer in the hands of the Government. The ratepayers of the Makarewa district are its owners and guardians now, and if they wish to enhance the value of their district by forming it, they May at any time extract the necessary funds from the Provincial Treasury by simply subscribing a small sura themselves to begin with, the Government having promiaed to provide the Road Boards with £2 for every £1 raised by them (the Boards). This road is indeed much required, and if the Makarewa Boad fail in making it soon the Government might take the job in hand, to the advantage of its Treasury coffers, and to its credit generally When you talk about roads and bridges you are not far off railways. I hear it rumored that it is decided that the Winton railway extension shall keep the " east bank." If rumor is correct, then I would advise the up-couutry people to memorialize the Otago Government for bridges at Daniel's Ford and Elbow as soon as possible. These bridges and the railway up to the Elbow ought to be finished simultaneously, otherwise an occasional flood may place the " west side " in an occasional fix of an awkward kind. By-the-bye did sot Mr Yogel state plainly the other day to the deputation at Inverca> gill, that the Winton extension would tb»» have been in progress if the Engineer's estimates and specifications were ready f I believe that the survey of the line was completed some months ago, and cannot understand why specifications for at least a small section of it could not have been ready ere now, can you ? — Yours, &c, Settles, January 23, 1873.