FOURTEEN MILE BEACH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 23 June 1870, Page 6

FOURTEEN MILE BEACH.

(From our Own Correspondent)

Will Shakespeare says, " Uneasy rests the head that wears a crown." The same profound remark applies forcibly to the caput that carries the digger's billycock. The Molyneux is up considerably beyond her summer level, rendering nill for the nonce all our preparations for working. If we have much more wet weather, we shall get wet-footed, and no resource left us, but, like the rare and remarkable bird, the boongahlell, stand on one leg, stick our beak into a sandbank, and hiding from ourselves and all the world, ruminate upon the folly of trying to attain the impossible, and anathematise the vanity that prompted us to make the falacious attempt, for at "one moment borne high on the pinions of hope," at the next in the depths of despair. Things in general are at their very worst, and if the winter continues a mild one, and of which there is every appearance, the consequences will be very severe to all classes up here. Our roads are getting so badly cut up, that I very much question whether the wing-heeled god himself, or even a telegram would not get bogged ' between the Teviot and Alexandra.

Whilst on the subject of roads, I may mention that the infliction of puntage dues is becoming every day a sorer subject with carters and travellers of all sorts. It is too heavy a tax upon the community, and it is now necessary that some steps should be taken to remedy the evil. The Grovernment have constructed roads apparently for tha benefit of a few individuals at the crossings of the Molyneux. If proper tolls were charged according to the Government scale, it would go a great way towards lessening the grievance. The province should have taken them in hand long ago. Let them do away with the punts altogether, and give us bridges at Alexandra and the Beaumont. Surely works of this kind are more necessary on a main trunk road than a railway to the Clutha. As an instance of the necessity of some motion being made in the matter, I herewith give you the copy of an account for puntage dues at Beaumont Ferry : —

The above sum added to the Alexandra charges, makes a pretty considerable sum, less wool, which is added on the goods brought up-country for consumption, and which it is almost needless to say has to come out of the consumers pockets. The punt owners, no doubt, have been to a considerable outlay in providing the means of communication between the two sides of the rieer; but at the same time they have held a monopoly of the river for years, and the prices paid for crossing must have more than compensated them, and a good round sum into the bargain ; but still the Grovernment should either buy them out or subsidise them, and I have no doubt the matter could be arranged to the satisfaction of all parties. As the Grovernment would not be out of pocket by the transaction, and the Grovernment charge would more than cover the interest for the outlay, and at the same time not bear too heavily on the travelling public ; for it is quite time the thing was reduced to its minimum to meet the present depressed state of affairs. If' the ferry owners would not come to an amicable agreement, then the province has the remedy in its own hands, and bridges should be carried over the stream at once.

The insane policy of our Superintendent is tending more and more to retard the progress of the upcountry settlements. Of what avail will the Clutha Railway be to us up here on the goldfields. Let our roads be metalled and rendered passable at all seasons of the year ; even if it does cost a large outlay of cash. A corresponding amount of traffic will go a long way towards refunding the amount, and would be permanently reproductive. What are we taxed for? Surely not to be bogged at every half mile we travel with our teams, nor to keep up useles establishments in the province that could be very easily dispensed with. I trust that some of our goldfields members will give their attention to this matter, as it is of vital importance to the interests of all classes of the community. Of course you have heard of the sad fate of poor James Maclewaine ; he was buried on Sunday week last. There are a great many in the Mount Benger district who will miss him, as a more truly kind and obliging man was not in the country, and one whose undeviating honesty aud integrity made him friends with rich and poor alike.

Mr Loch's Game-laws (Scotland) Bill which was down for a second reading in the House of Commons on Wedensday afternoon, was further postponed until Monday the 11th April.

Dec. 4, 1869—2 waggons up, down 9fcli £2 0 0 „ 18 „ 2 „ „ „ 22nd 20 0 ran. 1, 1870-2 „ „ „ Bth 20 0 „ 17 „ 2 „ „ „ 22nd 20 0 ?eb. 2 „ 2 „ „ „ 6th 20 0 „ 10 „ 2 „ „ „ 14th 20 0 Mar. 11 „ 2 " „ „ „ 15th 20 0 „ 27 „ 2 „ „ „ 31sfc 20 0 £16 0 0 225 bales of wool, at 6d per bale 512 6