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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 895, 2 December 1871, Page 2

The inhabitants of Brighton have forwarded a petition to the Superintendent praying for the construction of a bridle-track between Brighton and Razorback by the coast; and for the erection of a wire foot-bridge over Fox's river. The grounds advanced for this work being undertaken are, that a mining population, at present limited, but under favourable conditions likely to be greatly augmented, are at present working on or near to the proposed line of route, and that a road would enable them to obtain necessaries with less difficulty and at greatly reduced prices; that considerable areas of auriferous ground are available on the beaches and terraces which such road would command, and that it would reduce the journey fully six miles between Brighton and Razorback upon the track now used, avoiding also the numerous and dangerous crossings of Fox's river. The petitioners further claim that Brighton has never been a source of large expeuse to the Provincial Government, as compared with other places, and that at the last meeting of the Provincial Council the sum of £IOOO was placed upon the estimates for the formation of the track in question. Although greatly required, it is doubtful whether tbis work can be taken in hand at present, since the altered financial relations between the Colonial Government and all the Provinces under the capitation allowance has left them, and the Nelson province among the rest, but little money available for public works' expenditure. Tt is also doubtful whether the sum of £IOOO referred to would cover the cost of the work, since although seme three miles of track are already formed, the remaining distance of six or seven miles would include much rock cutting, which could onlyjbe accomplished at considerable outlay, If any portion of the Nelson share of the Middle Island Railway Fund be available for this purpose, there may be an immediate prospect of the petition being considered. It can be said in favour of the line of route, that it would pass through auriferous country for its entire length, while the track now used traverses a barren limestone country where there is no prospect of gold being found. "We learn also that the present track is falling into great disrepair, involving the necessity cf a large immediate expenditure. Under these circumstances, it may be si'hsred desirable to expend even a larger sum in order to secure the preponderating advantages which attach to a coastal route.

Mr Greenwood is, we understand, surveying the line of country over which it is proposed to carry a large water-race from Bullock Creek for the purpose of working the auriferous ground and beaches which are known to exist between Brighton and Razorback. The race is estimated to cost £2OOO, and we believe that there is every prospect of the undertaking being carried through. The fact of such a work being earnestly contemplated goes to show that there is considerable weight in the arguments advanced by tho Brighton people for the construction of the proposed line of road.