HAWKE'S BAY HERALD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1863.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 357, 4 February 1863, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY HERALD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1863.

It is refreshing, in these times of difficulty and depression, to be able to cease for a brief period the doleful strain, and to touch upon topics of an encouraging character. That to which we more especially allude is the opening of the highway between Napier and Auckland, through the enterprise of Mr. Hunter — that gentleman having, as reported in the Hprq.ldp£ the 24th ult., succeeded in his overland journey^ and arrived in the capitai.with a loss of no more than five head out of* the 180 with which he started. The distance, as is well known, has been- repeatedly traversed by Mr. Rich and others ; but the attempt to convey by this route a large

mob of cattle is something quite novel; and, at a time when there is so large a number of fat stock within the district in want of a market, it is one which displays much enterprise and that is likely to exercise a beneficial influence upon the interests of the province, as giving a new direction to the energies . of the stockbreeder. We do not yet know, with accuracy, the details of the journey ; but no doubt the difficulties were many. The Southern Cross reports that some little trouble was given by the natives, more especially near Auckland—and we can well conceive it— but, on the other hand, we have heard that, at many of the pahs on the line of road, Mr. Hunter was received with cordiality, and that, in some of the king natives, he found buyers to a small extent. At the time of his arrival there was a decline* in the price of stock, attributable to the drought, but it was known to be only of a temporary character, and not such as to discourage similar enterprises for the future. We trust therefore that this will not be the last event of the kind, it will devolve upon us to record.

These remarks naturally lead to another branch of the subject — that of more effectually opening up the country between Auckland and Napier bymeans of roads. It is of the utmost importance to the interests of both provinces, as well as to the maintenance of the integrity of the Northern Island as a British colony, that overland communication should be opened. But how is it to be done ? This province, however willing it might be to assist in such a work, would, in its present circumstances, be utterly powerless to do so ; while Auckland, with so many claims upon its provincial resources, cannot be in a position to do much. The main line through the Northern Island, to connect Wellington and Auckland, must pass through Waikato and Taupo on the one hand, Wairarapa or Manawatu on the other ; and the formation of such a line, or at least the worst parts of it, will be the only" guarantee for the future peace of the Island. For such works as that we have indicated a large part out of the contemplated half million loan will be available ; and although we believe that His Excellency is fully alive to the importance of so opening the country, and is, in fact, bending his best energies to the attainment of that object ; yet an occasional reminder on the part of the Provincial Government, especially following upon such an event as Mr. Hunter's journey, might not be unproductive of good. A resolution to such an effect was proposed aud agreed to during last session, and an answer returned — a formal one certainly — but the object in view was so far answered. Were the line even opened as far as Taupo, much good would result* A new country would, on some terms or other, be opened for stock, and a stream of traffic be directed to Napier as the natural outlet. Travellers would be attracted to the Taupo Lakes and the Hot Springs; while the access of population from the other provinces and elsewhere would serve gradually to work out the great problem of the day. The province has already done something towards opening the country in the Taupo direction; perhaps it could do a little more ; and thus, by shewing a good feeling in the work, encourage His Excellency to enter into it more largely. Some time since a rumour prevailed that military labour would be employed in extending the main road in a northerly direction, and we were hopeful it would prove to be well founded ; but, unfortunately, nothing further was heard of the matter.