BULLER AND INANGAHUA ROADS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 845, 3 August 1871, Page 2

BULLER AND INANGAHUA ROADS.

(To th 6 Editor oj the Westport Timet anj Charleston Argus.) Sib.—You will do the community# favour by making known the wretched condition of the Buller road. The traveller very naturally conclude? either that the Government have no confidence in the future of the up. country districts, or that the road is being culpably permitted to fall into its primitive state of wild vegetation, For several miles, beyond the Nine. Mile creek, the road is so thickly over, grown with scrub that the unfortunate wayfarer is in danger of having hfa eyes knocked out, and his clothes torn in pieces; and, unless shortly cleared, it will become completely impassable for traffic. From Port Cooper to the Ohiki river the road leads across a series of high spurs, and, for the want of deep cut drains, the entire surface is washed away by the storm-water from the hills which has also left sharp-pointed rocks and loose boulders which threaten to break your horse's legs at every step The road over the Ohiki hill is also cut into ruts, several feet deep, by the rushing water in wet weather (at these times it resembles a creek), it being the only channel by which the water is conveyed into the river. This part of the road will cost a considerable sum of money unless soon put in order. The bridge across Coal creek has been shifted off the uprights, and needs some slight repairs before it is safe for horsemea The same applies to a bridge neat Granger's point. Between Hughes's Accommodation House and Christy's, there are several bad patches, where the horses are up to the saddle girths, Some repairs are badlv needed also to the road leading over the hill neai Christy's as there are several tnud holes in which the unfortunate pedes, trian sinks to the hips. The track, between Christy's and the Landing across the Boggy Terrace is a complete quagmire for a distance of four miles, and shows the grossest neglect to the most necessary want of the mining community. The bush track, along the bank of the Inangahua, nearlj opposite to Fern Flat, is washed away, and it will be impossible to hold re. gular weekly communication until a temporary track is cut through the bush. The fallen timber is still lying across the Buller road, between the Blackwater and the Inangahua Junction, owing to the men not being able to cross the Little Ohiki rivet on account of the floods. Hoping I have not trespassed on your valuable space.—l am, yours, &c, Frank Couetnet, Mail Contractor.