CORRESPONDENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 44, 14 September 1865, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[The Editor does not hold himself responsible for any opinions expressed by hia correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOR OF TDE WEST COAST TIMES; Sin, — I quite agree with your opinions regarding the conduct of tho Canterbury Government in advertising tho road through from Christchurch to this placo as being opon for travellers, and no sorious dilßciutios to bo encountered. That there aro great difficulties in the overland route can be authenticated by sovorol who havo como, but who aro not likely to take tho samo road again. As to the still greater absurdity of tho Govornment at Christchurch putting on an escort, with tho idea that it will bonofit thoir oity and bo a groat convenience for tho diggers and tho community of Hokitika generally, to havo the gold sent through to them, allow mo to unaecoiye them. Perhaps tho good people of Christchuroh aro not aware that in sending cold overland there are risks to bo run which tho Banks will not venture upon because they cannot bo insured against, and these are, first — the dangers of crossing rivers, and second — tho chancos of tho escort boing stuckup. Besides, tho expenses would bo so great that it oannot • compote against water carriage. Tho gold is insured the instant it is on board of a steamor, and it is takou at a freight which would nun tho Government to tako it ovorland. The individual digger can havo nothing to gam by sending his gold to Christchuvch, as tho Banks hero aro giving a higher price than they would thoro. If tho Govornmont can opon tho road so that cattlo and sheep may bo easily drivon through they will benefit thomaolvos and this place also, but they had hotter leave tho escort alono. In postal matters, I observo that the postmaster advertises that " all letters excepting those for Nolson will be aont overland, unless otherwise specially addressed," This, in my opinion, i« of con-

Biderablo detriment to the commercial in- 1 terests of Hokitika, as letters for Otago, the North Island, Sydney, and Melbourne would go forward much quicker in many instances by steamers than overland. If this arrangement is made by the postmaster at Christchurch to swell tho returns so as to show what a convonionco it is to the inhabitants of Hokitika, I hope the Improvement Committee will take the matter up and request that the public service only be considered in the forwarding of mails. Yours, &co Observer. Hokitika, 13th Sept., 1865.