KARAMEA. ROADS AND THEIR COST.

Colonist, Volume XI, Issue 1113, 26 May 1868, Page 4

KARAMEA. ROADS AND THEIR COST.

Sih,—l have the honor to forward, for the information of his Honor the Superintendent the following particulars relative to the different tracks leading to ths Karamea country. . 1, Button's track has been cut about 6 feet wide, ani onn be used at a. walking-track, 2, jcjuoi 1 tw& has b»oa impnwd, fa tUt Iwmi

can now be packed with goods to within 500 feet of the summit of the range; beyond that, to tho Karamea Bend, about 6 miles, it has been improved, and is now available as a walk eg-track.

3. Snow and Mnckay's track, by Hough's saddle, has been cut about 6 feet wide, and is now available as a walking-track. 4. The Wangapeka track has been improved, so that horses can now travel from the Wangapeka Plains up the river, a distance of about 15 miles; that is, to a point about two miles above the crossing of the Wangapeka. Beyond this are only walking tracks, of which, three miles further on, we have a choice, either by way of Rochfort's old track into tho Karamea, or by way of a line recently cut across the range by Mr. A. D. Dobson, which materially shortens the distance, probably 6 miles. To complete the latter as a horse-track into the Karamea Valley might cost £1500 to £1700; and to arrire at the same point by Rochfort's line, £2000 to £2300; the ktter would most probably present the best gradients. On.any of the other described lines, any further expenditure for such a purpose ivould be comparatively thrown away, from the rough and difficult nature of the country through which they pass. Tho short distance, however, yet to be accomplished on Jones's line as a horse-track, about 7£ miles; seems to offer a strong inducement to complete it to the Bend; and there is very little doubt that were fchefe many diggers in the Karamea, and this road finished, that goods would be got over by it, thouuh the gradients would be steep, and the full height to be surmounted very great, viz., 4800 feet.

This piece of road might probably cosfc £600 to £700. I havo, &c,

John Blackett, Psovincial Engineer. P.S. —The estimates given are for a substantial well-made road, to bear constant traffic.

Return ov Expenditube on Kabamea Roads, To May 12, 1868. £ s. d. Dutton'B Track 194 4 10 Jones' track (this includes portions of main road up the Baton and along tho Motueka river) 1148 17 7 Snow and Mackay's track, by Hough's saddle 100 0 0 Wangapeka to Karamea ... 418 11 5 Cross-road, Wangapeka to Baton 21 0 0 Explorations, including cutting new line by Wangapeka ... 265 7 1 Total £2148 0 11