THE ROUTE TO THE KARAMEA.

Colonist, Volume X, Issue 743, 12 July 1867, Page 3

THE ROUTE TO THE KARAMEA.

To the Editor of The Colonist. Sib,—l feel somewhat disappointed in having ray mind so long held in suspense by the conflicting statements with,.regard to Hough's pass. Like many others, I was fully in the belief that the late expedition would have settled the question, but instead of that they have returned with as contradictory opinions regarding its physical outlines and its practicability as a pass, as if they had mutually agreed to do so before starting. On reading Mr. Groom's report, one would naturally infer, from the apparent correctness of his observations, that tlie question was settled (and I must say that he is the only ono that has tried to give the public an outline of tho road); but just on the back of this, we are told by Mr. Collin9 that he can only look upon them as the result of an abnormal development of prejudice. Again, Mr. Groom informs us that a dray-road by the route they travelled, if constructed, would bo at an enormous expense, and even a bridle-track would be a work of no common magnitude"; but we had been previously informed by Mr. Maekay (through Mr. Hough) that he believes that if the timber were cut, he could drive a team 'of

bullocks over the saddle, without any sidings whatever, into the valley, and that he was highly pleased with the pass. Also, Mr. Collins tells us that Mr. Snow, who is eaid to have had much experience in road-making, was of opinion that a bridle-track from the Baton store to the Forks, including the worst part through the gorge, might be made at from £40 to £45 p°er mile. The final conclusion of Mr. Groom is that the pas 3is 3000 feet high (which all will agree with me is not so high as the pass over the Himalaya, 15,000 to 18,000, or the Andes, 16,000) and that all the party expressed an opinion of the impracticability of forming a dray-road, and the great difficulties to contend with in making a bridle-track, in which, he says, " I fully agree." But Mr. Collins steps in and denies that difficulties exist in forming a bridle-track, and affirms that "a bridle-track could be easily made along the southern bank of the Skeet river" to its head, and from thence up an easy spur to the top of the saddle." So, as it now stands h is all difficulties i with the one, and all ease with the other.

Mr. Editor, after such contradictory statements as these by gentlemen qualified by experience and education, can you wonder at men in our days questioning the " traditions of the fathers ?" One can feel the force of such a proposition as "The affirmation of a tiling does not prove the reality of the thing affirmed." "Testimony is more likely to be false than a miracle to be true," and again "What hath • been rightly perceived may be mis-remembered, what is rightly remembered may be mis-reported, and what is rightly reported may be misunderstood." It would be gratifying to know which of the gentlemen to believe, and in order to enable myself to form some opinion on the matter, I enquired after their moral character, but I find that you cannot question any one of them with regard to his integrity. Indeed, they aro all more honest in their statements than one another, if you can understand what that means ; but it appears to me t:o best thing to be done is to compare Dutton's track with Hough's (with regard to their utility and practicability), and find out which of the two is the best for a mining population.^ For example, if Dutton's track is snowbound in winter, this must prove very dangerous to men working on the other side of the range. On the other hand, if Hough's is free from this objection it would be the safest, and I should say the" best, on that account, even if it were the longest. If the Government should take any farther steps in the matter, I hope the parties, when they return, will agree honestly among themselves, and settle this question for ever. I am, &c, r.i.fl. Nelson, BfchJulj, 1867.