MR. WAKEFIELD'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE A ROAD TO THE GREY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 44, 25 April 1866, Page 3

MR. WAKEFIELD'S PROPOSAL TO TAKE A ROAD TO THE GREY.

The distance from- Nelson to the/Grey is estimated at 175 miles; it may be considered 200 miles. The road should not be interfered •with by any Road Board. The road now in use, or any divergence from it, may form part of the 200 miles. Tt is proposed that the Superintendent agree with contractors to be named, that in consideration of their making a permanent macadamised road from the wharf at Nelson to the wharf at the Grey Uiver, they shall receive 250,000 acres of land in the Province of Nelson. The ]aud to be selected at once or during the five years expiring at the completion of the road ; but only in 25 blocks of 10,000 acres each, in a regular figure if possible, two sides of which shall, if practicable, be natural boundaries. The authority to occupy each 10,000 acres of land should be issued to the contractors, A, B, C, as each ten miles of road is completed in the certificate of the. officer in charge; the Crown Gr.:nt to be issued when the whole line of road is completed. The road to be finished within the space of five years, according to specification. The road to he 66 feet wide; trees to be grubbed up; plans and sections to be furnished by the Government; the bridges and culverts, unless in exceptional circumstances, to have no stone in them; the road to be formed on its surface into three parts, I6& feet on each side of the centre at an elevation of eight inches above the sides of the crown of the road, 25 feet of the centre of the road to be metalled, with metal 9 inches thick, under the inspection of the officers in charge. Mr. Wakefield would undertake to go to Melbourne and find contractors ready to undertake the work. He would assist in making the plans and sections, draw up specifications and undertake to superintend the work for five years. He would expect his expenses to be paid to and from Sydney and Melbourne, require a salary during. the construction of the road, and a grant of 10,000 acres of land on the termination of the contract to the satisfaction of the Royal Engineer commanding in New Zealand.