THE UP-COUNTRY ROADS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 348, 18 April 1874, Page 3

THE UP-COUNTRY ROADS.

We are pleased to see at least one of our Dunedin contemporaries directing. the attention of the Government to the bad state of the up-country rbads. We have done so on many occasions, but a word from the seat of power will doubtless have more effect^than many words of ours. The "Otago GiVardian," of Thursday last writes as follows on' the condition of the roads from Lawrence upwards: — "The state of the up-country roads is anything but satisfactory, and we ] trust the Provincial Government will lose no time in taking measures to put them into at least passable order before winter sets in. This might very easily be done; if a start were at once made ; but should the season advance much further before the work is begun, it will not be possible to spend money to any great advantage before next summer. Preparations have been made, on an extensive scale, to metal the road between Tokomairiro and Tuapeka, and indeed a commencement.was made by the roadmen on M onday last at the Milton end of the line ; but where labour and metal are most required, nothing is being done. As far as Lawrence, on the the main road to the Lakes, the road is in a very fail- condition ; but beyond Lawrence to Beaumont ferry, and thence forward, the road is simply in a discreditable state. It is not formed, and the heavy traffic upon it ploughs it into holes, in which water lodfes. Serious accidents, involving loss of life aye occured on this line, some of which are traceable to the deep ruts and pitfalls to be encountered almost everywhere upon it. And what makes the state of things all but inexcusable, is the fact that abundance of road metal is lying along the line, so that comparatively little labour need be employed to make an excellent road. We trust this notice will stimulate the local Government to action. The Secretary for Works should be well acquainted with the condition of the up-country roads, and ought, in the interests of the public, to anticipate the vote of the Council, by making arrangements for havine; the work of formation and metalling well and expeditiously done. When it is stated, as it has been on evidence at the inquest at Lawrence, that there are ruts, between 2ft. and 3ft. deep, on the Jine beyond the Ferry, and to which the late fatal coach accident at that place is mainly attributable, it is easy to imagine in what condition it wiy be for traffic during the depth of winter, unless vigorous steps are taken to put it into fair order before the season is broken, A dozen horses and drays and a gang of men, under competent supervision, would put the line between Lawrence and the ferry into good order in a fortnight ; and, when finished there, they might be employed further along the line. But the safety of of life, and the requirements of up-country traffic, demand .that the whole line shoiild be made decently passable during the winter. Otherwise it will become imperative for the coaches carrying the mail to travel over the best part of the road at night, leaving that part of the journey now performed after dark to be cautiously traversed by sunlight. In this connection, we would remark that the tear-and-wear on horses and vehicles would be lessened if the new metal were spread in patches, two or three chains apart, instead of being closely packed the whole width of the carraige way several inches deep. A little attention to details of this kind would be greatly appreciatei, we are certain, by owners of horses and vehicles."