TRACK TO GERMAN TERRACE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 578, 9 November 1869, Page 2

TRACK TO GERMAN TERRACE.

The length of our reports connected with the Superintendency election has prevented us from giving sooner more than a mere mention of a deputation which recently waited upon the District Engineer to represent the necessities of German Terrace in the matter of tracks. The deputation, as mentioned, consisted of Messrs Barrie, Gracie, and Riding ; and these gentlemen were accompanied by Messrs Robert Whyte and John Munro. Mr Barrie, in addressing Mr Dobson, referred to German Terrace as a mining district which had been neglected from the time of its being opened until now. While other terraces had been provided with tracks, it had none, and those resident upon it had to make their, way to or from town up to the knees in mud, or to make a long and inconvenient detour. In point of population or age, German Terrace was entitled to some attention being given it; there were, in fact, more people on gold there than on any of the other terraces ; yet it was without any means of ingress or egress.

Mr Dobson said that, so far as lie was concerned, he had no power without representing the matter to the Government. It was not a matter which was left to his judgment entirely, and all that he could do would be to represent the necessity of some track being made. He had no hesitation in agreeing with the deputation that German Terrace had hitherto been neglected. It was his opinion that the preferable track would be one commencing at what was known as " Scotch Lizzie's," and ascending the acclivity from that point. Mr Bareie agreed with the Engineer that that was the track which woidd be most easily and cheaply made. If the Government would spend the money, it would be a great consideration to have the track from Anderson's, as there was a leading spur and any quantity of timber. With timber accessible, ground which would not now pay would afford employment to many and for a length of time. At present they suffered from the disadvantage of paying extra carriage on all their supplies. It was not fair that, in such a situation, they should be compelled to pay £2 a ton more than was paid elsewhere, and without some consideration packers

would not come where there was no track.

Mr Dobson thought it possible that, after the Superintendent's election, some attention would be given to the matter. It had been represented that a track continued from one end of the North Lead to the other would be beneficial, and he thought it the best arrangement that there should be one main line of track, with subsidiary tracks to each terrace. At present the tracks were like the spokes of a wheel. He had recommended the expenditure of £2OO, and he would see upon which track it could be best expended, or which track would be most convenient for the conveyance of provisions or' timber. At present he had an impression that the route he had spoken of would be the best selection. Mr Barbie and the other members agreed with the Engineer, provided the Government would not undertake a track from Anderson's. After some further conversation, the deputation thanked Mr Dobson, and withdrew.