THE INANGAHUA ROAD.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 732, 3 November 1870, Page 2

THE INANGAHUA ROAD.

la conformity with the resolution, passed at a recent public meeting, a •deputation, consisting of Messrs E. C. Eeid, J. Munro, and J. B. Fisher, waited upon his honor the Superintendent in order to point out the nenecessity of tho formation of the above line of road, and for the' purpose of ascertaining what were the views of the Government.

The deputation having been introduced by Mr Donne, M.P.C., Mr Eeid proceeded to explain the object of their interview. He stated that when appointed, at a public meeting, to lay the wishes of the people before the Government, they were not aware that it was his Honor's intention to invite a public meeting. Ho was glad, however, that such a course had been decided upon by his Honor, and it would also remove any necessity for referring, at that moment, to the general circumstances of the district, and enable him to limit bis enquiries to the single subject of a road from the Inangahua Landing to the recently discovered reefs. He believed that the result of official reports was favorable to the districts being placed in communication with Westport. If such were the case he would request his Honor to inform the deputation whether it was the intention of the Government to take any steps towards supplying this mean 3 of communication, and if so when. His Honoe said that tho Government fully recognised the importance that was likely to attach to the recent discoveries, and it was their full intention to form a passable track, sufficient to admit of the transit of goods or machinery with as little di-lay as possible. The Engineer had furnished a report as to the shortest route, as also where the road could be most easily constructed. That report was based, he believed, upon an intimate acquaintance with the surrounding country, and he very strongly urged the advantage of making a line of road from the Inangahua Landing to the reefs in preference to any other route. Of course, they would be influenced by that report, but the Executive had decided to refer the mattor to the Goldficlds' Representative to make farther enquiry in the matter. The Greymouth people appeared to believe that a road could be more efficiently construct; d from their side to these reefs, and it had been decided, therefore, by the Executive that one of their number, Mr Donne, should visit the Grey district and gain all information. As soon as that had been done, steps would be immediately taken to open up communication of such a kind in the first instance as would admit, though perhaps with some difficulty, of machinery being got to tho reefs. Certainly the amount of money available was not large, and did not exceed eleven hundred pounds. He did not think it politic in the first instance to incur tho expensive outlay of a first-class road, nor would they have sufficient means for such a work until the Council met. But, in the meanwhile it would be seen of what value the reef's were. It was well known that reef's did not always turn out as expected; rich specimens had been obtained in various places, yet the result had been disappointing, on the ground being tested with machinery. As stated, however, means would be provided for the transit of machinery, and, in the event of the reefs realising expectations, he was quite sure that the Government would desire, and he believed it would also receive the assent of the Council, to place a sufficient sum on the Estimates for the construction of a suitable road. Both by law and the Appropriation Act they were debarred, without the authority ofthe Council, from spending, any additional sum to what had been voted. As soon as they were placed in possession of the result of Mr Donne's investigations, a track would be immediately commenced. With respect to the proposed tramway from the Inangahua Lauding to the reefs, he would state that its construction would in no way interfere with that of a road. The Government would reserve the right of constructing a road, and if the application were granted, provision would be made to secure the early fulfilment of the work. Mr Mtjneo would desire to call his Honor's attention to the state of the road, which was described aa almost impassable, between "Westport and the Inangahua Junction, and between the latter point and the Landing. He did not speak of his own knowledge, but there were very frequent complaints in respect to those portions of the track. His Honor replied that he understood that repairs were required, but assuming that it would be found desirable to construct a line of communication between the Inangahua Landing and the reefs, and taking into considertion tho small amount of monev available, he thought it might be advisable to allow the traffic to continue to the Inangahua Landing, leaving these repairs until a favorable opportunity for their being undertaken. The deputation thanked his Honor, and withdrew, i

"Dennis, darlint, what ia it ye're doing?" " Whist Biddy,Tse trying an experiment." "Murder ! what ia it ?" "What is it, did 'ye Bay ? Why, it's giving hot water to the chickens I am, so that the'll be after laying boiled eggs." Lodger: "Somebody called j n my absence .'—Did he leave any name ? " Mavy: "Oh, yes, sir, he said it was Immaterial."