BRIDLE TRACK, WAIKAIA BUSH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 128, 21 July 1870, Page 5

BRIDLE TRACK, WAIKAIA BUSH.

(To the Editor of tlie Tuapeka Times.)

Sir, — As the columns of your paper are open at all times to vindicate the character of any individual, either public or private, and having been accused of sending in an untruthful report of tho state of Messrs. Gall and Wilson's contract for cutting bridle track through Waikaia Bush to Mr. Fielding's homo station, by your inserting the following copy of the report sent by me to the Warden of the district, you will oblige :—: — " To the Warden at Switzers.

" Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that I inspected Messrs. Gall and Wilson's contract on the 18th inst., in company with Mr. Wilson, and I beg to state

" Ist. That the contract is finished tho whole length, and that the gradient is according to specifications.

" 2nd. There are several parts of the sideling that are not the width, namely, four feet. I pointed out where the deficiency was. Indeed, some parts are only two feet wide — they are to be altered.

"3rd. Crossing fords. — They are not finished according to specifications. I pointed their defects out, and Mr. Wilson said he would alter them.

" Swamps. — They have all to be altered, as I put a stick down several of them over two feet, and then folt no hard bottom.

"5. Bridges. — They are In a mosfc dangerous state, and not safe for horse to cross. There is one of them propped up now in the centre, and there are saplings the whole lengthof the bridges, varying from two inches to four inches apart, just a sufficient width for a horse's foot to go through between the logs. The only thiigs to prevent them at present are tha leaves and clay, which there is a thickness of from four to eight inches, and that is entirely at variance with the specifications. Therefore, under no circumstances, 'can I take upon myself to pass them in the present state ; and I referred him to the specifications.

" 6. They can complete the whole conract in a workmanlike manner in four or five days more, if they set about it. — I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, James Sandison, "Inspector of Bridle Track. " Waikaia Bush, April 20, 1870." Sir, I beg to add in conclusion that tho "Warden of the district went over the track in company with the contractors, on the 24th April, and on the first bridge they crossed, one of the contractors horsea' hind le .s wentthr. u^h between the logs, forcing down one of the saplings complained of. This was in the presence of the Warden. Had it been a fore leg, the cause might have been different. Further comment is unnecessary (quite unnecessary). — I am, &c, James San discs.