THE PAROA ROAD.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 409, 27 August 1868, Page 2

THE PAROA ROAD.

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argus.) Sir — The proceedings of certain members of the Road Board has been characterised by extreme self-interest. This they have displayed in passing their motion for a survey and tenders for a road from Puroa (Saltwater) to Welshman's, it being quite uncalled for when it is well known that at present there is a a'rst-rate track to the above place, and I cannot see the use of a abound track to that part of the country. The population centred around the Eight-Mile demands consideration, instead of expending money in making a road where one already exists. Why not go in for the good of the country, and not for their own selfish ends I The importance of Paroa and its interest are as nothing compared to the wants of up country. If the funds of the Board are in such a flourishing condition why don't they follow out the County Engineer's plan, and start the road from Welshman's, and give the miners the full benefit of a good road, but the interest of certain members are at Paroa, and that must be the starting point. One of the members had been asked to do away with the monopoly of the tramway. Why did they not do away with it ? The Road Board had the offer of the said tramway, at their own price and fix their own terms as to payment ; but no, they want a road of their own. I see in Mr Rochfort's report there is a mistake. The Tram Co. promised if a road was made by Government that their charges would be one pound per ton of 20001bs. I see in his report he mentions £2 10s per ton. Paroa has had a fair share of public money expended on it already. The country expects the Board to do something effective, but I suppose it will end in expectation. I am, &c, A. Rutherglen, Aug. 18, 1868.

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argus.) Sir — I awaited the last issue of your paper, fully expecting that some person would have taken your Saltwater correspondent to task for the slur cast upon the Road Board, in his article of the 20th instant, and for his unwarrantable perversion of facts. I read the article referred to with some little amusement, and although more accustomed to wield the shovel than the pen, felt ir-resistably compelled to point out as clearly and succintly as possible the fallacies contained therein. At one of the early sittings of the Road Board (I think the third) a resolution was brought forward and adopted to the effect, "That ifc was considered desirable that a main trunk road, available for pack horses and dray traffic, should be formed, commencing at a point on the beach and running into the interior of the Saltwater and New River districts." A sub-committee was formed, a preliminary survey made, and the matter remained in statu quo until the County Engineer reported upon it, which report has been received by the Board and published in your columns. After reading the original motion I cannot understand the Welshmajn's Terrace (only approachable by a private track) being selected as a starting point for the proposed road. The Board seem to. share my perplexity, as, tlieir

Engineer is now employed in surveying a line of road to connect the above with the bea,ch. With the . exception of a very small clique, the scheme of a main trunk road seems to meet with- general approbation, and as for your correspondent's recommendation that the Board should leave the carrying of it out to their successors. Has he the power of dissolving that body ? or does he advocate the suspension of the works until their expiration of office 1 Tliftt I think will be in about four years. I hope to see a good dray road formed to Ijake Brunner before half that period has elapsed. The track, so strenupusly advocated by your correspondent, iB execrably bad, "once travelled never to be fopgotten," and the nature of the country through which it is carried precludes the possibility of constructing such a liighway aa the one in contemplation, except at an enormous expense. Should his views be adopted, by-the-bye — "a consummation moat devoutly not to be wished for"—^-it would necessitate the expenditure of a further considerable sum to connect it with the seaboard, or the public would remain at the tender mercies of a company, whose charges, are, to say the least of it, exorbitant. What we require is a good road, open to all, which will do away with the dangerous and expensive monopoly now in existence, so detrimental to the welfare !of our mining community. I think that the Board deserve our thanks for stopping all useless expenditure of public monies in cutting such tracks as now intersect the country in all directions, and for concentrating their forces in the carrying out if a project, the advantages, of which are so evident. The unfortunate Board comes in for a parting shot—" what' right have they to expend such large sums in the protective works of Greymouth; and, why was not a portion of those sums employed in the construction of a track from- Rutherglen to the Eight-Mile ?" a place, by-the^bye, only known to the public during the last three weeks or so. From the general tenor of his article, it is evident that any line of road likely to prove detrimental to that great mining centre ; that delectable collection of thrice-removed iron and rotten calico, yclept Rutherglen, will not receive at his hands that cordial support needed to the scheme which advocates the purchase of Welshman's track. As jolly Bill, the butcher, justly observes Rutherglen ' ' is cooked. " He mourns the decline in trade, and heaves lugubrious sighs at the oft-repented cry of " a lb. of ateak and lump of fat, and a small piece of clog's meat." With the exception of Hamilton and Co. '3 store, the actual value of the material comprising the remainder of the town would not cover the expense of transit to the beach. Her glory has departed; her temple of Terpsichore is deserted. Your correspondent evidently does not require to be reminded of the proverb, " There is nothing like leather." I am, &c, Black Sand. South Beach, Aug. 24, 1868.