The Catlins-Waikawa Road. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 48

The Catlins-Waikawa Road. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — About five years ago the Government erected a bridge over the Tautuku River, on the main Catlins-Waikawa road. The bridge in question is built wholly of red pine and miro, and, as agnecessary consequence, is now rotten, full of holes and exceedingly dangerous to even foot passengers, especially at night time. There are holes in it sufficiently large to allow a horse or bullock to go clean through into the river* and as the whole superstructure is rotten an accident may occur, at any moment. Some of these holes are filled up or repaired*' by saplings, etc., but in my opinion, it would almost be as well if they were left open, as travellers -would "see them and so not be deluded into false opinions as to the safety of the bridge. My timber waggon has had several narrow escapes, and some of my bullocks have gone through the decking on different occasions.

My principal object in writing on this subject is to warn the travelling public of the danger they incur in crossing this river, and, secondly, to stir up the powers that be into activity. I have written to the proper authorities and interviewed the local inspector, with no better result than to cause them to put up a written notice on the bridge, which states that it ia unsafe for heavy traffic. This notice is evidently intended for my special benefit, as it is well known in this district that I am supplying the Chaslands Dairy .Factory with the timber for cases, and also "other building material. I have had in my experience of- 40 years in Otago a great deal of work to dc ia connection with roads and bridges; and I can honestly say that nowhere have I witnessed such jobbery and waste of public money as at this particular place. The money which ha.-> been spent on roads which no one ever us.es but surveyors and their families, on sheds costing £200 which have never been used for any purpose but to store goods and horse feed for the private horses of a survey camp, — all this money should have gone to metal the main roads and keep the bridge in repair. Just try to realise the wisdom of repairing a road running through rock cuttings by throwing down short pieces of fern trees (or bungies) into the waterholes and ruts, and not only doing so, but waiting until a fortnight ago at the wettest season of the year to complete the folly. Referring to the bridge itself, thf men are pit-sawing good totara decking to lay on. rotten decayed red pine beams'. We are cursed by inspectors in every department, but this and other matters of importance to the public in general, which require explanation, are sufficient cause for my troubling you at this time.

DAVID

DEWAR.

— i am, etc., Papatowai Sawmills. May 10.

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