Original Correspondence.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 48, 14 October 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sis, —Permit me, through the medium of your valuable paper, to mention a few facts relative to the progress now making in Southland, tending to facilitate the means of communication and transit of goods between that fast rising Province and the Lake District. The importance of Southland, in a commercial point of view, as taken in connexion with this district, is not generally known or appreciated. Anyone who has travelled up the valley of the Oreti, and thence to Kingston, must be struck with the capabilities the country presents for the construction of a splendid line of road, devoid of all engineering difficulties. Such a road is in course of formation, and when the Winton Bush has been completed, which will be within three weeks time, the whole line of metalled road running parallel with the old line and above it, will then be thrown open to the public. An absence of metal in the immediate vicinity of Invercargill has in a great measure prevented the construction of good roads previous to this ; but this want is now being supplied by means of large flat-bottomed boats that convey stone for the roads from the Mokomoko to a jetty built on the Waiopai, and depots for its reception have been made all along the Waiopai Bush. Another winter of course will not elapse before good roads are made; the setting-in of fine weather will enable the Government to lay metal on at once, when it is to be anticipated we may "bid a long hire well" to fascines and mud, which hitherto have been the bane of the North Road.

A line of Railway is in course of formation between the Limestone Hills, twenty-five miles on this side of Invercargill, and that place, and this line in all probability will be completed before the end of autumn; eventually it is contemplated carrying it to the borders of the Province, and from thence if practicable, to Kingston. I say if practicable—not that any difficulties exist to prevent such a desirable consummation, but what may arise from opposition on the part of Otago. The J>resent line will consist of wooden rails, ying on sleepers that will be capable at any future time of supporting iron iails, when it is found necessary to exchange the temporary line for a more permanent one. It is devoutly to be hoped that the line will traverse the direct Great North Road, and that the province will not be saddled with the expense of several thousand pounds extra, by its divergence to Wallace town, for the mere object of pleasing a few interested parties—and that the Provincial Council will avoid stultifying themselves by recognising a course so opposed to all professional rules. On the completion of this line a great object will be accomplished; and much benefit accrue from the fact that at the Limestone Hills, extensive stone quarries exist, suitable for building purposes, and road metal; the land in the neighbourhood of the line becomes considerably enhanced in value, and a source of revenue is at once available after the first outlay. The Railway between the Bluff and Invercargill is also rapidly progressing, although from the nature of its construction it will require a longer time for its completion than the one I have referred to. When the line of coaches run between this and Invercargill in one day's time, which they will before long, I should recommend those who have not visited Southland to take a trip through that Province and judge for themselves. They will be pleased by the fine agricultural district they pass through, and the capabilities they meet with in Invercargill for commercial purposes as contrasted with those of Dunedin.

Yours truly, Scrutator.