MR. BLACKETT'S REPORT ON THE NEW ROAD TO WANGAPEKA DIGGINGS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 366, 26 April 1861, Page 2

MR. BLACKETT'S REPORT ON THE NEW ROAD TO WANGAPEKA DIGGINGS.

Nelson, April 17, 1861. Sir.—l have the honor to report my return from the Wangapeka district, and to lay before you ,for the information of his Honor the Superintendent remark on the various matters requiring attention. Accom. paniedbyMr. E. Baigent and Mr. D Clark, I rode through the line cut by the latter up Pigeon Vulley, thence over the main range into Stanley brook, and over another range into Motueka Valley. This line requires some alterations to make it serviceable even as a bullock track, viz: in tho ascent from Pigeon Valley, and the descent on the other side; as also in that portion over the further range. I should recommend that a further search be made for effecting these improvements. I found on inspecting the work done by Messrs Sharp and Hearle in 'l/admor Valley that it was on the whole satisfactory, but being convinced that a bullock track was inadequate to meet the requirements of the new diggings, to which men are now flocking, I (in" accordance with instructions received from his Honor the Superintendent) asked for and accepted a tender from them to construct a dray road from the entrance of Tadmor Valley to a point at the foot of the range dividing that valley from the Wangapeka plain, about five miles up the valley. When this road is complete, I would suggest that it be surveyed and the land laid off in sections for sale, as it appears generally of very fair quality. After a careful three days' search by Mr. Skeet, Mr. Sharp, and myself, a line was found Btarting from this point over the range, and down the other side into the upper part of the " Slierry River," which may be made available at a small expense as a dray road. This portion of the road I succeeded in letting by contract to a party of returning diggers, six in number, all good workmen, and who, I expect, will be able to complete it in less than a month. *■' * * * (This party of diggers corroborated what I had al'cady heard asserted, that a manjcould earn £3 per day at the diggings, or 30s. per day, wet and dry on an average.)

The dray^ road qan then bQ continued aer.ass the

" Sherry" and Wangapeka Plain to the Gorge, at which point the bullock track commences, leading to the diggings. This latter, I confidently expect, will ( be completed in about a fortnight. The portions of the road over the plain will be executed by Jlessrs. Sharp and Hearle, after completing the bullock track, and I purpose visiting the district again in about a fortnight to mtirk out the line and give them the necessary instructions. The entire length of the dray road from Nelson will then be as follows:— Nelson to Foxhill 22 miles B'oxhill to Tadmor entrance ...24 „ • Up Tadmore Valley ........ 5 „ . Over Tadmore Range 2 „ Across Wangapeka Plain .... 3 „ 56 miles and by bullock track on to the diggings 10 miles more, making 66 miles in all. Mr. Skeet's report has already informed you that a very good line of road may be made up to the Wangepeka river, entering from the Motueka Valley, at a point about three miles below Stanley's, proceeding along the right bank for some distance through flat land of considerable extent and of very fair quality, then crossing the river by a good ford and along the left bank into the plain, about half way up • which it would again cross the river to connect with the bullock track leading to the aigginga which is on the right bank. This line I have examined carefully, and am satisfied that a good dray road can be made, almost level, which will pass through bush about four miles. • ; It now remains to connect this line with the one followed by Mr. Skeet from Waimea West, and a further search will be necessary to ascertain whether the descent from the main range will be better made into Stanley Brook or Dove Dale; if the latter, a second small range will have to be crossed to get into Stanley Brook and thence over a low range into Motueka Valley. From Mr. Skeet's observations it would appear that the best descent would be into Dove Dale, and this would answer the double purpose of openingup the land in that valley and of securing a good road to the Wangapeka. Ultimately, however, a communication with Motueka (down that river) will be the nearest 1 et for produce from Dove Dale.) I should recommend that Mr. D. Clark, who knows the district well, be instructed to seek for and blaze a line as required, which I could then examine and report upon as to its fitness for a dray road. The lengths by which would be nearly as follows, viz.:— Nelson to Waimea West. 14 miles Waimea West to Motueka Valley.. 18 „ Across Motueka Valley 1 n Through Wangapeka Bush 4 ~ Up Wangapeka Plain 5 ~ 42 miles shewing a saving of length over the present road of 14 miles. < As the traffic to the Wangapeka diggings will mostly be by the road over Spooner's Range and down Norn's' Gully, during this winter, and until we can get the lower and more direct road opened I have to suggest that some repairs be made on the hill ascending from the Wai-iti by felling the bush one chain wide to let in the sun and wind, and also by making a few side cuttings on the top of the range, where in some places the road is now dangerous. I should also report that I examined the old track from Stanley's into the Wangapeka, and am convinced that a good line cannot be found in that direction, although the present one might be materially improved for a bullock track. 1 have, &c, JOHN BLACKEtT, Provincial Engineer. To the Provincial Secretary, Nelson. RIDDLE ME RIDDLE ME REE! I live within a glass house, I take care of Number One, And this I always will do, as I hitherto have done. . 1 first saw light in Ireland ; have seen the sun in Spain, And also in Great Britain, where I hope to be again. My glory and my shame ever since I left my mother Is to fight for or persecute nome nation or another. My ethics are compendious, my teacher was a Jew, Whose motto was "do others, for others will do you;" This motto is my guide-star that lights me on. my way To brave all rash opponents and try and make them pay. Then guided by my passions which are not the very best, I make a legal tiger-spring on those whom 1 detest. In the pursuit of knowledge few things escape my scan;. •:*.■- I flirt with art and science—and with women when I can, With the Fauna and the Flora and the secondary rocks, I hold familiar smattcr; c'en the compass I can b x! Oft in the shock of council, in the freedom of debate • I twitch my inexpressibles when in a nervous state, There I seize the gifted word, the true Promethean .fire, And justice fully do to him—who is the highest buyer. Look in the ranks of radicals, or men who want a place, 'Alongst patriots or conservatives, or neutrals of the race I'm anywhere, I'm everything, unprincipled acute And called—while feared and flattered—the knave of every suit; In short in all manoeuvres, and old campaigning tricks, ; - I " face-about •' most gingerly with friehd3 or politics. ■'...*. My most noble aspiration, my solitary pride, Is to feel my own way clearly, if I wrong the world beside; Sometimes men make objection, but my plans are ne'er upset For if I can't get one fish, others come into i my net. ' I watch just like a spider to enmesh my luckless prey, And if e'er I get a damage, they get seldom : clear away. My knowledge gained at legal schools, once stopped at A B O ; But a few pounds I picked up theie restored my gaiety; And when again I went that way, of course for vindication, My heart beat high, I claimed in wrath For money and d—-nation' The latter I was sure of then as I am sure of now, But how to get the money, hung cold upon my brow. , At last I hit upon a trick, for conscience I have none, And if you hand me six and eight I'll tell you how 'twas done. Now reader, gentle reader, if you can clearly see, Unriddle me Uiib riddle, and tell me who-1 be ; And if you guess it truly, you may proudly lift your head And deserve my appellation of^-double-X