Napier 27th. Jany. 1863. My dear Sir, I am inclined to think there is a much shorter practicable road to be found between this place and Wanganui. The road at present starts from Wanganui and runs southerly to Capt. Daniels Station at Rangitikei, there it crosses the river and running still south crosses the Orawa at the Pah, then through the bush to Raukawa and by the gorge through which the Manawatu runs, and soon after takes a northerly direction (bush nearly all the way), now there is a second opening in the mountains several miles to the north of the Manawatu gorge, and if a road could be cut through this way, it would be much shorter besides saving a considerable quantity of bush. This line of road would still run as at present to Rangitikei but after crossing the river would still run as at present to Rangitikei but after crossing the river would strike nearly straight across to the upper part of the Ruataniwha plains so that the bush on this side of the mountains is very trifling, I am not aware if this road be practicable, but the expense of examining would be very little, there are no native settlements on this road while there are on the lower line and there being tracks from one place to the other is the probable reason it is used instead of another being attempted, in the upper line there would be fewer rivers to cross I believe the native would be glad to see a road made on either line, and I know the Wanganui settlers have it in contemplation to pay the natives to make the present track more available for driving sheep and cattle to this part. I should be very glad to see some assistance given them by Government, if only to the same extent as they help themselves. Now supposing this line of road to be formed (not regularly made) so great a portion being on Govt. or free hold land, and the Natives being anxious for a road I conceive it would be practicable to station at suitable intervals, small Detachts. of the Colonial Force, which will probably be formed, and as these men must be paid a certain sum daily, they might be profitably employed in completing the road and keeping it in repair, these men should also be employed in carrying the inland mails, whereby a considerable sum would be saved and the service more systematically performed for instance each station would be provided with a strong active horse, a cart and a few wheelbarrows the horse not be be much used the day previous to the arrival of the mail, and as soon as it arrived should proceed to the next station, and return with the back mail, by this arrangement, a mail may be easily carried across the island in 36 hours, say once a fortnight until better times, I cannot help thinking a road across this part of the island would also assist to cool the ardour of any disaffected natives south of the road by placing a slight impediment between their brothers to the north. I have not entered into so many particulars as I could wish, nor is it perhaps worth while to do so unless some good were likely to come by so doing, I do not wish to take any credit to myself for suggesting the line of road, it was our friend John Campbell who first told me of it, and I fancy Alix McDonald would be the best to give you any information respecting the road from Rangitikei to the upper gorge. My great grandfather Palmer was the 1st. man in England who ever ran a mail coach, he established a good system of carrying mails by which he personally lost £32,000 I am not likely to do this as you well know, still if the hint I have given should ever lead to any good or bring us in closer connection with old friends at Wanganui I shall be very pleased. Yours very truly, I.T. Tylee.