OUR DISTRICT ROADS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 137, 22 September 1870, Page 5

OUR DISTRICT ROADS.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times). Sir, — I was always under the impression tliat surveyors were considered to be the best judges in the laying out of district roads. But if any person would wish to form an opiuion of the competency of these gentlemen, let him ti'avel over some of the roads laid oil" in block V., Tuapeka East District One especially I would ask him to visit in Clarks Flat — a road which is a disgrace to any surveyor's profession. It goes through a bottomless swamp twenty times in about a mile and a half. It so happened that this winter there was a little more traffic on it than usual, and through its boggy nature it is now quite impassable for man or beast. I have just heard that the settlers are petitioning the Government to put it in repair. 1 think they have gone the wrong way to Avork — they ought rather to petition the Government to get the line of road shifted to the leading spur, commencing at Mr. Hugh Clark's stockyard and joining the old coach road at the back of Mr. Blairs, then they would have a road read} 7 made by nature, and not a single creek to cross. Ie is not too late for the petitioners yet to represent this to the Government. I have no doubt their petition woxild be complied with, as none of the land on the leading spur 1 refer to is yet improved. Let the petitioners ask tha Government to send a competent surveyor to report on all these Tuapeka district roads — Mr. M'Kerrow, for instance — a*id I think some improvement would be effected. I believe that gentleman travelled the same district not many weeks ago, and no doubt is able to corroborate my statements in the bad judgment displayed in laying out some of these roads — I am, &c, E-OADMAKEK.