NOTES BY A TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume 21, Issue 3047, 22 May 1878, Page 2

NOTES BY A TRAVELLING CORRESPONDENT.

The late boisterous weather has not been confined to the town of Greymouth, but may fairly be said to have made its potency for evil felt pretty generally throughout the country districts. On . Friday last it rained incessantly, in fact it came down in torrents, and many were the travellers bound from Greymouth to the Arnold bridge who exercised a wise and sound discretion in securing a return 1 ticket per train, as they who had the temerity to face the elements secured a thorough drenchiug for their boldness. Partaking of a " wee drappie " to wet the inner man as well as the outer at Garven's Arnold Bridge — and being assisted thereto by a gracious and attractive demoiselle — there was no help for it but to trudge along upon this anything but pleasant pilgrimage. Some of the residents of the Coal Pits should join a volunteer corps, as no less than twelve sportsmen — minus ducks but themselves so drenched that I resembled river shags— were encountered each carrying a gun, but in only two instances had they succeeded in bagging game. Not long since attention was specially directed to the foot bridge at the Twelve-Mile, and feeling that this is a matter that directly concerns the public it i 3 aa well that the unvarnished truth should be allowed to see daylight. Some four or five years ago Mr Kelly erected this bridge upon the understanding that it was to be valued and a recompense in ■the shape of an hotel license . granted. Since then, however, the creek ha 3 spread, and the land here about being low lying the bridge has after every freshet to be exterided. When Mr Chas. Broad was warden he promised that if the bridge was kept in repair he would allow the person so doing a Hotel license for LlO per .annum, which, faithful to his word, ho carried out; but last year (although thirty-three feet has since been added) from one of those inexplicable circumstances known only to the administrators of the law, in place of adhering to the original terms an additional Lo per annum has been added. Does not this savour of retrogression, not to use a much harsher term ? It is generally conceded that an increased outlay, extension,, and risk fairly entitle the owner to a reduction rather than an increase. The miners of No Town to their cost in the pa3t know how soon this treacherous creek gets up. This is no idle structure, as equestrians, horses, and cattle have been in the habit in freshes to avail themselves of it. Knowing full well that the columns of the Akgus are ever open to publish anything partaking of injustice, 1 make bold to dwell at some little length upon this subject. ' : A span of Nelson Creek (Mitchell's bridge has succumbed to the fury of that creek, but owing to the altered course of the strea v the pedestrian has now to wade middle deep before he can reach the bridge. Something should be • done in this matter, but no satisfactory erection can be adopted unless it is made a sine qua non that the bridge Bhall be from bank to bank. There is little use in spending money unless this courss is pursued, and as it it is on the main line of road, it behoves the Road Inspector of the County Council not to wait till ho is directed to report, but to do so at ones. There is but little fall in the creek, and as

the winter promises to be more than ordinarily severe, it should be seen to that this most neceasory work be proceeded with at once. If more money than the " free license" is required to complete the work by all means let tendeis be called for, and not permit the travelling section of the community to be so sadly inconvenienced. No blame is sought or intended to be cast upon Mr Mitchell, who has done all in his power, but it is ridiculous to think that a free license representing in money only L3O would in any way compensate for a bridge which to be of any use whatever should be four chains long at the least. Old familiar faces never can look on Nelson Creek without remembering the deaths by drowning that have occurred therein, notably that of the Rev. Father Columb, Geo. Moirhead, and Jerry Brosnan. Allusion is here only made to these departed friends for the purpose of enabling (those unacquainted with the creek to form some idea as to the body of water that run 3 therein in such weather as the present.

The people of No Town don't seem to be very happy just now, and as usual in every community,"there are to be found discontented beings who take delight in extolling their own noble minded dfl&iterestedness, and pitching hammer and tongs into others. A few weeks since a glowing report appeared in your, columns, respecting a banquet given to the representative of that district. He was then extolled to the skies — " One of the most able and intelligent members of the Grey ConntyCouncil, &q." and now in a week, a little weeks he is informed that " he does not possess the confidence of his constituents." And pray what doe 3 it all originate about. A simple grant of jJIS. It is rumoured that counter steps are to be taken in favor of the abused member of the County Council, and if the current statement of the motives by which he was actuated, is correct Or. M'Guire has a right to be proud, and not ashamed of his conduct in connection with the giant to the No Town Library.