The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1866.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1589, 16 January 1866, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1866.

The latest accounts from the Otira and Bealey spea*k of a favourable change of weather. Kain still falls, but not so constantly or so heavily; and by far the larger number of days are quite fair. This would not be saying much in other parts of the province; but it is a very good character for the ranges. "We may hope that the more favourable season of the year has now set in; and that, consequently, the work which has to be done on the road will be carried on rapidly and soon completed. Already, as we are informed, the parts of the road through the Otira gorge-which were seriously injured by the severe fresh at Christmas time have been made available for the passage of pack-horses. It is only at the gorge that serious damage was sustained ; the rest of the road was injured here and there, but in a less degree, and the repairs will not cost many hundred pounds. The gorge of the Otira was, so to speak, swept clean out by the rush of water on Christmas Day; even boulders weighing seven and eight tons were rolled fairly out of the bed of the stream. As part of the road in the gorge was constructed on walled embankments rising from the river bed and constructed of the stone cut out of the benching made in the solid rock, only that portion which was benched or chambered remained after the flood had done its work. There is evidence, as we are informed, to shew that the fresh on Christmas Day was the highest which can have occurred for scores of years; and it is likely, therefore, that a road constructed as the last was might stand for as many years longer. But another method will be taken. A strong timber staging will be carried out from the edge of the benching, which will be widened, and to which the staging will be bolted and stayed. By these means it is expected that an available coach road will be completed through the gorge in a month; and, if the weather holds good, as may be expected, the accomplishment of this promise may be depended upon. If this be the case, little or no real delay in the communication with Hokitika will have been caused by the floods, since the bridge over the Taipo stream will not be open before the time named, to say nothing of the lower road. The accounts to which we now give publicity are the most gratifying which we have received for many months; and we trust that the time is at last approaching when the province will receive compensation for some of its disappointments about the West Coast. It may be well, to prevent mistakes, to explain that yesterday's telegram about the coach " going over the new road the whole distance for the first time," means that the ' bridletrack'beyond Goldney's is now brought into use for the coach traffic; by which means the lower and worst crossings of the Waimakariri are avoided. This is a most important amendment in the journey, and will much facilitate the travelling between Christchureh and the Bealey.