THE REES VALLEY TRACK.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1228, 29 July 1881, Page 3

THE REES VALLEY TRACK.

To toe Editor of Lare Wakatip Mail. Sib,—The settlers and others at the Head of the Lake are realising the truth of the old saying, " Out of sight, out of mind,' so far as the making of the road promised some twelve months ago, by the County Council is concerned. When we signed the petition for the erection of a jetty, it was with the expectation that some means of access would be provided, so as to enable us to benefit by the structure, which at present is of no earthly use to the settlers and others, for whose convenience it was supposed to be especially erected. It may be of some advantage certainly to the owners of the steamers in shipping wool in the season, but beyond that no one here can understand what useful purpose it serves, unless it be to exemplify the fable of the fox and the stork, viz., like the meat put in the narrow-neckcd pottles for the benefit of the fox, who could only see it at a distance. It must be a well-known fact to most, if not all, of the councillors that the only road practically available for access between the jetty at Glenorchy, and the settlement in the Rees Valley, is by the Terrace to Precipice Creel: ; and we are at a loss to understand what reason, if any, the Council have for delaying the expenditure of the sum already voted for the purpose of improving the surveyed road. I think, and justly, that the time has come when we are entitled to some consideration from the Council, seeing that there are some three thousand acres of land under process of cultivation, as well as another very important industry, viz., quartz mining, which is being developed by the Invincible Quartz Mining Co., at great expense, and under exceptional difficulties, incidental to the pioneering of an hitherto almost unexplored locality, if the sum alluded to had been judiciously expended, between Glenorchy and Precipice Creek it would have greatly facilitated the transport of the quartz crushing machine which is being erected by the Invincible Company. Yet, instead of having the benefit of the contemplated improvement in the winter season, when the flat is so soft that it is next to impossible to cast the smallest load over it, we are obliged to drag some portions of the machinery axle-deep with five horses over fifty yards at a time, and the hardships and expenses entailed on those who have to contend with such adverse circumstances should be a consideration to those whose duty it is to promote (to p. reasonable extent) the interests of a struggling community. We think that £2OO or £250 would be a very small request, compared with the advantages that would be derived. In conclusion, I hope that those whose special duty it is to advance our interests will exert the same influence for the improvement of the road, as they did in the erection of the jetty, and not leave it to the discretion of any single individual. I give expression to the feelings of every resident in the district in protesting against frittering away, I believe, about £IOO on miserable make-shifts instead of expending it upon the proper track.—l am, &c. Richahd Williams, Invincible Quartz Mining Co. July 26 th, 1881. *