THE TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 641, 14 October 1867, Page 4

THE TOTARA.

(fbosi the boss guardian, oct. 12.) kosstown.

The Escort, on Tuesday last, conveyed 2642 ounces of gold. The New Zealand Bank did not send away any on this occasion.

In reply to the memorial, asking for a metalled track to Donoghue's, the following reply has been received by the Warden :—": — " Goldfields Secretary's Oflice, Hokitika, October 7, 1867. Sir — I am directed by the Secretary for the Goldfields to inform you, with reference to the memorial of the inhabitants of Ross and Donoghue's for a metalled road to connect those places, that it is his intention shortly to visit Ross, and lam to state that the Secretary will decide upon the formation of the road when he is here." This is a very unsatisfactory delay about the expenditure of a trifling sum on a work for which money has been twice voted by the Provincial Council, and on which some labor has been expended, uselessly, unless supplemented by an outlay for metal of small amount. Our new Goldfields Secretary does not seem of a very active disposition, he has not visited this district since his appointment, nor any other in Westland, as far as we know. We hope, should the late political changes not prevent his promised visit, that notice will be given thereof, in order that an opportunity may be offered of a deputation waiting on him. There are a few subjects which want ventilation, the storm channel, for instance, which is now used as a tailing site, the water taking its own course through various properties, and destroying our main road ; an outlay, at the right moment, of ten pounds would have preserved this race in efficiency, but now one hundred will not repair it, and the damage is daily increasing ; but great is red tape, and everything must go the rounds of circumlocution. Our hospital is another subject ; it seems hard that we should have such difficulty in getting any government aid when Hokitika receives nearly LIO,OOO per annum.

Many of our neighbors who travelled the overland route by the Hurunui will remember Mr Taylo.% whose station is situate far up that river. It is our melancholy duty to record his death by drowning in a tributary of the Teremakau. The deceased gentleman was one of the most respected Canterbury settlers, having been long resident in the Province, and the first to settle in the back country of the Hurunui. He will be long remembered with gratitude by many on this coast who shared his ever ready hospitality.

The works on the new road to the beach have suffered. unavoidable delay by the late continouous wet weather, which has rendered work out of the question, and filled up gravel pits. At present about a mile is metalled. The swamp is drained and passable for foot passengers, who largely avail themselves of this road to the beach, preferring a little mud to the risks of the river.

We see that the Westland County Bill has already stirred some of the districts of Canterbury to seek means of obtaining a share of their land fund, and that a meeting cf Chairmen of Road Boards and members of General Assembly is proposed to discuss the question.

Hokitika has been suffering, like Ross, from a want of unanimity as to time. This having been arranged iv Hokitika, will we hope also soon be here, and that we may not only agree amongst ourselves but with the latter town. Already the Warden's Court, Post Office, the Banks, and Marks and Weisner, adopt Hokitika time. It only now remains for the steam engines to conform, and we shall be up to the time of day.