ROADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 367, 11 December 1858, Page 5

ROADS.

The following Circular has been addressed by His Honor the Superintendent to the District Road Boards :—: — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, lOih December, 1858. To the Road Board of the District.

Referring to the Resolutions of the Provincial Council (with Reports) on the subject of Roads and Public Works, for which provincial monies have been voted, and as printed in the Council Papers of which I enclose copies in triplicate for the use of your Board ; I have the honour to inform you that instructions have been given for a prolongation of the metalled rdad at Dunedin to Caversham Quarry, (which is urgently wanted for a supply of building stone) ; and, 3o far as possible

Avithin the present season, that the same metalled line be continued to the Kaikorai Flour Mill on the one hand, and Mr. M'Glashan's Mill on the other ; a similar work, in proportion, being also in operation at Invercargill.

2. With respect to the main line of un~ metalled road — in its whole length from Dunedin to Invercargill, it is also to be immediately cared for in respect of culverts, bridges, &c, so as to make it available, according to existing traffic, and for travellers. On some parts of this line special parties will be employed as recommended in Mr. Thomson's Report ; but in passing through Road Districts which are more or less inhabited, it is believed that manual and bullock labour may be had within these Districts, by contract or otherwise, and for the procurement of which on fair terms it is not doubted that the District Boards, from public spirit and local advantages, will readily assist.

3. For the carrying out of this particular work, an Inspector of Roads has been added to the department of the Civil Engineer, who, under a plan submitted to and approved by the Government, is wholly responsible, the Inspector taking his instructions from, and reporting to, the Engineer alone, so as to avert the evils of a divided responsibility.

4. With respect to the line next in rotation for being dealt with as No. 2 — that, namely, from Dunedin to the Waitangi — the necessary surveys cannot be made this season, as the whole staff is employed on field work for completion of the great map of the Province ; but this being done, the Waitangi and other main lines will be taken up in succession, and that on a fixed and notified plan, hawing reference to the whole Province, and the combination of its several parts into a useful and harmonious business intercourse with each other.

5. In regard to bye-roads, which are at the expense of Districts, and under the entire management of the District Boards, it is to be observed — Ist, That no dray or horse road in use by the public is to be shut up until a new road be opened and made available in its place. 2nd, When a Board proposes to open a new road, it will report the same, with a plan of it, to the Government, which, being in immediate communication with the Survey Department and Waste Land Board, an answer will be had without error or delay.

6. Meanwhile, I am happy to congratulate you on the provision made for a Provincial Coasting Steamer, which every effort is being made to procure without delay. It was well stated in the report of exploratory surveys, with respect to the large amount of lands fitted for agriculture in the interior, that, for a long time to come, agriculturists would confine themselves to the estuaries of rivers and boat harbours, where they have more than enough. And when we also observe that these very spots are the natural outlets of the large grazing tracts in the interior, we cannot but see a perfect harmony between the grazing and agricultural interests, and that the indefatigable coasting steamer for all the year round will be equally hailed by both. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant, W. Cargii,l, Superintendent.