The Press. MONDAY, MAY 22, 1865. MR. DOBSON'S REPORT.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 799, 22 May 1865, Page 2

The Press. MONDAY, MAY 22, 1865. MR. DOBSON'S REPORT.

We have at last got Mr. Dobson's report as to the West Coast road, and we fear it will j not be regarded as altogether satisfactory by the public. Our readers will remember that Mr. G-eorge Dobson returned to Christchurch on the 11th March, reporting a route by Arthur's Pass to the Teramakau, which was throughout practicable, except for a mile and a-half in the gorge of the Otira. On receiving this report, the (Government, unwilling to abandon the idea of utilising the great amount of made road already available into the Upper "Waimakariri country, despatched Mr. Dobson to ascertain whether a road could be got through the Otira gorge at all. The letter of instructions is dated the 14th March, and we have its result now on the 23rd May. At a time when the public mind "has been in a state of extreme anxiety on the subject of this road, this is not very satisfactory; nor is Mr. Dobson's report altogether satisfactory in a professional point of view. It is most barren, mainly in that part in which iiiformation was most required. We wanted first to know whether there was any mode of making a side cutting in the hill above the gorge altogether. Mr. Dobson does not even allude to this subject. There is nothing in his report to show that he ever examined the hill side at all. He takes it for granted that the road must go down, into the gorge. It may be so; but we naturally expected to hear that he had examined the hill sides, and found that no road could be made along them. There are other suggestions in the report which seem to us strange. What we wanted, and do want, is a bridle-track at once-, to the West Coast, and a passably good dray road in the course of a short time, as fast as the bridle-track could be improved. When, then, we hear that this road is to include a bridge of 250 feet span, and; a tunnel through loose boulders 180 J feet long, we cannot help feeling that this is not the sort of thing wanted, We do not want and best roadin an engineering point of view. After times must provide these luxuries. WTiat we now want is the road that can be made passable quickest, and at least expense. And if we understand Mr. Dobson's report, the road he has laid. out can be used as a bridle-track without the Bealey bridge and the Otira tunnel, but cannot be completed into a dray Toad without those costly works. It is however clear from the report, that Mr. Dobson's inspection of the Otira gorge itself has been more hurried than that of the rest of the route. It is indeed with considerable surprise that we

I find that that part of the route which was regarded as the impassable obstacle is treated as a mere bagatelle. From the Bealey flat to the upper end of the lower gorge the bridle-track is to cost £3264, whilst in the gorge itself, £270 in improving the fords and £S0 in foot bridges, will open the track for traffic. We confess to thinking that the public will not be satisfied with a track which crosses this rapid torrent 16 times; and that work on the line of what will be the permanent dray road must be put in hand at once, so as to limit the crossings to the fewest number possible; and in a country so full of timber we cannot help thinking that a few bridges strong enough for heavy dray traffic across so narrow a stream, would limit the amount of rock cutting so as to reduce the cost of the whole work within our present means. As to the mode of making the permanent road down this gorge we readily accept Mr. Dobson's conclusion, which is sensible and practical. He says that by blasting out the boulders in the bed of the stream, so as to let the water down quicker, by building up retaining walls in some places, and side-cutting or tunnelling through the rocky buttresses in others, and by crossing the stream by bridges occasionally, so as to take advantage of the small flats in the river bed. a road can be made down the Otira gorge. But he does not specify how much work will have to be done, nor how many bridges, tunnels, or walls are required. However, although regretting that we have not a more detailed description of this part of the work, we cordially accept Mr. Dobson's conclusion. When, however, we come to that part of his report which deals with the surrounding country, and the probability of passes in other directions, we find much more cause for dissatisfaction. Mr. Dobson speaks of that as certain, and as ascertained, namely, that the valleys at the head of the Waimakariri all turn to the, northward, when in fact we know nothing about them but what we have learnt from Messrs. Harman's, Browning's, Cahill's, and Armstrong's expeditions, to which he hardly refers. Until that expedition, those streams which alone offered a prospect of coming from the western water-shed, had nevea been explored. There would have been no great difficulty in making a road up either of them, had they led to the west; but the fact that the valleys in which they lie all turn round to the north, and even easterly, is one which has never been shown except by the expeditions to which we refer. It has been shown by Harman's last expedition, that one branch of the Eakaia runs round, overlapping the waters of the Waimakariri to the westward, and that the waters on the other side of the water-shed run northerly and easterly, probably into the Teramakau. It is out of these facts that Mr. Dobson has supplied his theory *, but he does not acknowledge them. Besides, all speculations such as he indulges in are very uncertain; for as the rivers on both sides of the island cut through a great part of the back bone, and their headwaters overlap one another in valleys running generally in a northerly and southerly direction, it is quite possible that fissnres may exist which form openings or low passes from one of the valleys carrying the waters to the east, into one of the valleyß carrying them to the west. Nothing but positive inspection can prove whether such a low pass may exist or not, and theory is quite worthless to predict the result. Mr. Dobson thinks that Whit combe's Pass will be found the Best by the Eakaia, but there are several branches ! of the Eakaia still untried, and until Captain Browning's return, which may shortly be expected, we shall still be ignorant of the geography of a considerable tract of country at the head waters of tW Eakaia. There are one or two other passages in Mr. Dobson's report to which we might take exception. We will mention only one. He says that Mr. Browning's Pass is 700 feet high from the- valley, and could only be approached by a road at aigradient of one in three. We have a very different account before "us which, shews that Browning's Pass is certainly not more than between 300 and 400jfeet high, and as it would be approached by a road winding round the side of a mountain by an ascent of two or three miles, the gradient up to the pass could be made very, easy. We suspect Mr. Dobson, never having been on the pass, mistook the top of the hill for the top of the pass ; the latter is several hundred feet lower. Had the valley on the other side led in a westerly instead of a northerly direction, this pass must have been the one used for the road: But until recent explorations, its direction could not have been suspected. " * Whilst takingexceptiontosomepartsoftfiis report, we must freely acknowledge that, like every thing which coriies from Mr. Dobson's hand, it of industry and honest work. The drawings and plans which accompany it are jmmerons and instructive,

and it settles for ever the question of the great advantage of the "Waimakariri over the Hurunui route, both in efeeagpness, in and in rapidity of construction. That qiifestion is now set at rest for ever, and we do not think will be re-opened. It maybe presumed that by the end of June, if sufficient energy is displayed, a bridie-track will be opened from the Bealey to Hokitika, and that a Gold Escort can then again be attempted.

Rifle Match.—On Saturday afternoon the prize of £5, given by Lieut. Harman for the best score made by members of No. 2 Company in 15 rounds, five each at 150, 200, and 300 yards, was shot for at the Hagley park butts. The day was well suited for the sport, the wind, although rather high, blowing directly at the back of the marksmen. The company decided that the money should be divided into two prizes f viz.: £3 for the highest, and £2 for the next best score. The prizes fell to Privates Niemann and Free, as will be seen from the following score :—

The Volttnteku Ball.—The seem to be determined to render the Volunteer ball on the Queen's birthday a complete success. Arrangements have been entered into for supplying an excellent supper in the old Town Hall. Kohler has charge of the musical department. The new Town Hall, in which the ball will be held, is to be decorated in military style, and as a further attraction the varioue prizes won at the encampment, including the cup given by his Honor the Superintendent, will then be handed over to the respective winners. In a financial view the success of the ball is of some importance to th* volunteers, as there remains a considerable balance yet to be paid on the Hillsborough encampment, and it is hoped that the public by patronising the efforts of the committee may enjoy a pleasant evening, and at the same time be rendering such assistance to the volunteers as will enable them to clear off the debt. It is intended to issue ball tickets and supper tickets separately, so as to render the expense to those who only wish to enjoy the dancing much less than otherwise would be the case. The tickets can be obtained of any of the stewards, and we hear that a considerable number have already been disposed of.

Lyttelton Volttntebb AbtiHiEßT.—This company met for drill and proof practice on Saturday afternoon on Officers' Point, when the Armstrong gun was brought into use for the firet time. The gun detachment consisted of Messrs. J. E. Graham, Scott, Hargreaves, Priest, Bayner, Eaves, Death, Woledge and Walker; and to give the whole of the detachment confidence before they entered into shell practice, the first .round of blank cartridge was fired by a lady, Mrs. W. H>-Hargreaveß. After the practice, which, for a first attempt, was unusually euccessfuL the company returned to the Drill-shed, and partook of the hospitality of Mr. W. H. Hargreaves. Wβ are authorised" to say that the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery will parade with No. 3 Volunteer Biflee at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 24th insfc., at the Drill-shed, Lyttelton.

A Skxemish with the Natives.—Captain Renner, of the Lady Bird, which arrived in Lyttleton yesterday afternoon, reports that just as he was learing Wellington, news was brought of a skirmish haying taken place between a party of the Forest Bangers and the Natives, about 40 miles north of Wanganui. The Bangers, it appeared, had gone out intending to surprise the enemy, but were caught in an ambush themselves. Captain Kenner was unable to furnish any particulars. ■

Gazette. —A Government Gazette was issued on Saturday; it contains the official report on the, immigrant chip. Greyhound notifications of , the return of E. A. Hargreaves, Esq., as member of the Provincial Council for Lyttelton,. and of the hon. John Hall as member for the Mount Cook district; a notice that Thursday, the 22nd of June, has been fixed for the next sale by auction of town and rural land, in accordance with Clauses 24 and 35 of the Waste Lands Regulations; the English Agency accounts for the quarter ending Slst December, 1864; and a return of the Sheep Inspector's reports for the month of ApriL DtTVATTCHBLLE'e BAY SCHOOIi COMMITTEE. —A meeting of this committee was held in the schoolroom; on Wednesday, the 17th instant, for the purpose of electing a chairman in the place a£ F. Pavitt, Esq., resigned, wben George H. Sexton, Esq., of the firm of Messrs. Gibbon and Sexton, was proposed, and unanimously elected. A rote of thanks was returned to Mr. Pavitt for the manner in which he had promoted the objects of the committee during the long time he had held the chair. Mr. Pavitt took a greai; interest in the school, not only visiting it regularly, but also holding Divine Service there every Sunday afternoon, and his departure will be deeply regretted by the inhabitants of Duvauchelle's JED'S successor, Mr. Sexton, also takes a great interest in the children, and the inhabitants have every hope that the school and district will prosper under him. His first act after being elected, was to head a subscription list for the purpose cf. forming a District Library and Beading room, where the young men employed in 'the neighbouring ferms, mills, and chip-yard, may ■have an opportunity of improving and spending their spare time profitably. The library is to belong to the .district, and the local papers will be regularly taken in and filed for reference. From small beginnings come great ends; therefore we wish' every success to this district and its enterprising workmen.' Phincbss , Theatre. The House on the Bridge of Notre Dame " was represented on Saturday, even:ing at the theatre. The piece is devoid of anything like a regular plot, and depends entirely on, sensational points for its success; these on Saturday nigtit were made the most of, and no doubt to admirers of this particular style of drama the representation wai a great treat. Ernest de la Goarde, the principal character, was well sustained by Mr. Hall; Mr. Dale, airPettiso, the lawyer's clerk, waa very successful, and by bis dry humour, much of which we fancy ie an improvement on the original, succeeded in. making the part mo«V amusing. Mlm Boea Cooper, ac

Melaine St. Auge, had but littlo to do, but that little was well done, and the part assumed a consequence which otherwise it wo aid no* possess. Mrs. HalL Collette, was as clever and amusing as ever. The piece was well put upon the stage, and some of the scenery particularly good. The afterpiece was " l\\. treated II Trovatore," which seems to have lost none of its reputation by repetition; it was well and capitally received throughout. To-night the same bill will be repeated.

Names. 150 Yards. 200 Yards.! 300 Yards. 2 Private Niemann .. „ Free ■ „ Hobson Sergeant Wallis .. Corporal Pappril .. Sergeant Wolfe Private Guinness .. „ Ridley „ Ford „ Hitchie 12 3 2 1 3 12 11 2 12 13 112 2 2 2 1111 2 12 2 0 0 1111 1112 1 112 0 0 12 110 2 2 2 2 1 2 1112 112 11 2 2 2 0 1 3 2 2 11 13 2 2 2 12012 llBlO 110 10 10 0 0 0 3 10 10 1 3 1 R 1 1 0 1 2 1 10 112 lion Oi)l U i 10 10 0 \i i o oo K*D 2 0 0 0. iO 1 0 0 0 36 35 34 33 33 32 22 21 Iβ 13