NEW ROAD FROM BEAUMONT FERRY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 394, 26 September 1874, Page 2

NEW ROAD FROM BEAUMONT FERRY.

The following ia a copy of the memorial of Messrs. Lancaster and party for permission to construct a dray road between Beaumont Ferry and the Island Block, Horseshoe Bend. Reports of the meetings in opposition to Messrs. Lancaster and party's memorial, held at tho Beaumont and Efctrick, have appeared in our columns, when strong language has in some instances been used by the speakers. Lancaster and party were accused of obtaining signatures by misrepresentation and the like. We regret that people should forget themselves so much as to apply such terms to Mr. Lancaster or any of his partners in the punt. Mr. Lancaster especially is a man of whom the Beaumont should be proud, and we do not believe either he or his partners are capable of disgracing themselves so much as to misrepresent their case in the manner described. At the Ettrick meeting the following gentlemen were elected a Committee to act conjointly with that of the Beaumont, viz. : — Messrs. Beighton, M'Kay, M'Gregor, Tubman, and Westcott. We have seen a telegram from Mr. Beighton, which reads as follows :—": — " Have enquired of James M'Kay. Neither of us heard nor know anything aboufc the meeting." It is certainly using too much liberty with people's names to place them on Committees for the futherance of objects to which they may be opposed. " We, the undersigned settlew and inhabitants of Tuapeka, Beaumont, Teviot, &n<3^^ surrounding districts of tbe province of ' w Otago, understanding that the proposal hereunder set forth has been made, -or is about to be made, to the Provincial Government and the Waste Lands Board of the said province by Mr. Richard Lancaster and party, and that the said proposal is to the following effect, or to the like effect, that is to say : " 1. That the said Richard Lancaster sn-l party shall at their own expense, and out o£ their own proper moneys, construct a dray road for ordinary dray and waggon traffic on or along the east side or bank of the Clutha river, between the Beaumont township and the telegraph line of road at the south end of the block known as the Island Block. " 2. That the said Richard Lancaster and party shall place and maintain proper punfca and other appliances, similar to those now in use at the ferry known as the Beaumoafc Ferry, at the point where the proposed road crosses the Clutha river, at or near the south end of the said Island Block. " 3. That the said Richard Lancaster and party shall dedicate this said road for the use and benefit of the public, for ever free from all right or demand of tolls for the use of the same by any persons whatever. "4. That the only conservation which the said Richard Lancaster and party shall receive for the construction of the said road from t?ie Provincial Government or Wast© Lands Board shall oe a right similar to that now enjoyed by the proprietors of the Beaumoat Ferry aforesaid of charging fees for the crossing of any traffic on the said river Clutha, the amount of such fees to be limited in the same manner as those now permitted to bo charged at the said Beaumont Ferry are limited. A right to use and occupy a small portion of land — say, not exceeding 10 acres on each side of the said river — for the purpose of facilitating the crossing of cattle and sheep ; and, lastly, the exclusive right to remove and dispose of any timber and scrub on Crown lands to a distance of five chains on each side of the proposed road* throughout its length. "?. Th it the said Richard Lancaster and party shall sell and dispose of to the public, at a price not exceeding 15s. per cord, such timber or scrub so granted to them, such timber to be delivered on the said proposed road. - " We, the undersigned settlers and others, do say that in our opinion the said proposals are worthy of the careful and favorable consideration of tbe said Provincial Government and Waste Lands Board, and for thef ollowing reasons : — " Ist. The opening up of the said proposed road will be a very great benefit to the whole of the interior lying districts, as several long and steep gradients will be avoided notably that known as the *• long hill," and a good level road will then be open the whole way between the important towns "of Law* rence and Roxburgh. " 2. The cost of up-country freight will, in consequence, be lessened considerably.

- •• 8. 'The important mining district of Tuapefat and other district*, such as the Beaumont, &c., will be able to draw supplies of timber and, firewood at greatly reduced prices to .those now paid — more especially as the return teams from the interior will pass along this road.

" 4. A considerable portion of new country trill be opened up for the operation of miners and others,"

" We therefore entertain the hope that the Government and Waste Lands Board will favorably entertain the aforesaid proposals, and will, upon the above or other like conditions, grant the application of Lancaster andparty," .