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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1408, 3 June 1865, Page 4

The services of Mr. Browning appear to be acknowledged by the Government, at least with that sort of recognition which is implied in making farther use of them. From what fell from Mr. Hall yesterday, on the subject of explorations, and from other sources of information, we are led to believe that Mr. Browning will receive an appointment as surveyor in the West Coast district, with a general control in his department, and perhaps in others where Mr. Browning's maritime experience will be brought into use. In this capacity he will be the proper officer to supervise all explorations up the western rivers, with the view of probing the snowy range for- practicable passes. This appointment will be understood as doing some measure of justice to the most successful of our explorers. But, putting the matter on the lowest ground, should the engineering survey prove the Rakaia pass to be available cheaply and quickly as a road to the diggings, the great gain to the province ought to produce a proportionate gain to the discoverer. Mere success in many cases is sufficient to entitle an explorer to a reward; but in this case, no one can say that the deserthas not been at least equal to the success. Even as a path for stock from the plains to reach the western market, the Rakaia pass mus.fc be of value. And, looking to the list of shipping disasters which we have had the melancholy duty of recording during the past month, the value to both coasts of an available road can scarcely be over-estimated. While on this subject, we may jot down a practical suggestion which has reached us. It is that, considering the absence of grass on the West Coast, and the great value of grass in the occupation of a new country, every possible means should be taken by the Government to scatter appropriate varieties of grass seeds wherever survey or other parties are sent. A great deal may be done in this way by a very little additional exertion on the part of those who are compelled to visit remote places in the district, and especially the upper streams of the main rivers.