THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT ON THE ARNOULD AND NEW RIVER DISTRICTS.

West Coast Times, Issue 907, 19 August 1868, Page 4

THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT ON THE ARNOULD AND NEW RIVER DISTRICTS.

County Engineer's Office, Hokitika, August 5, 1868. To tlie Chairman and Members of the Grey Boad Board. Gextlemex— l have the honor to state that, accompanied by your Engineer, Mr Johnston, I have carefully examined the country in your district, with a view to ascertaining the best lines for main roads. I commenced with the Arnould District, ascending the Coal Range to get a view of the Stillwater country, and we cut down sufficient timber for that purpose. I then descended from the range into the Stillwatcr valley, crossing the path at the south side of the Coal [Range, and followed the Still water up to tha Maori Gully junction ; took the tract down the Arnould to within about two miles of the Arnould mouth, and struck across from there towards the pass south of the Coal Range, following in a W. by S. bearing to tho Stillwater. At this part I found the terrace between the Arnould .■■lid Stillwater about J2O feet high. As it had been raining a good deal, we found the creek to high to cross, and had to go down to the bridge at the mouth. In going down I found that the terrace rose 50ft. as I neared the Grey River. After crossing there I went through again by the Pass, not however hitting the lowest part of the sad lie, I struck down to a large creek, and followed the creek back a considerable distance, finding in doing so that no water came in from the north side, and that it took its rise in the range on the south side of tho saddle, as there was no water coming in from the Coal Range to this creek. I concluded that water must have been flowing by another creek into the Stillwater, and that we were above and on the south side of tho saddle. I then followed down the creek to its confluence with the Grey, finding no difficulty in the way of making a road. This route (which I have shown on the accompanying plan by a red dotted line, going over the saddle at the south side of the Coal Range and then up the Stillwater) should be made as soon as there are funds for it. The distance to Maori Gully would bo three and a half miles less than by tho present route up the Arnould, but to be available at present a good six miles would have to be made to reach the boats at the mouth of the Stillwater, and as the funds at your command are not sufficient for that, tlxo best i-outc is by the Aruoulcl, as that road can be made mile by mile as funds will allow, boats always being able to work up the Arnould to the end of the made rond wherever that may be. In making this line, I would, however, recommend that it should bo kept on the lower terrace level all the way round to the Stillwater, rather than by tho present route over a terrace about 170 feet high. 1 next proceeded to the New River District, and ascended first a peak on the Limestone Range, near the Limestone Diggings ; afterwards a small knob on a paddock at the south end of the AX line ; the peak called the Rat a Tree Peak on Mechan's track, and a peak at the head of Liverpool Bill's Gully, in each place cutting down timber to get as good a view as possible. From the bearings then taken I have sketched the run of the main ranges on the accompanying plan, and although being only a sketch plan, it does not pretend to perfect accuracy, I trust it may be of some use to you in ihe event of any new lines of road being requirei 1 . You will sec I have shown two loutcs for the Greenstone ; the one route is shown by a blue dotted line going up the Grey River to the Omotu-motu, up that creek imd over the Limestone Range, by a Pass west of Mechan's track, then crossing to | the Eight Mile Creek on the Now .Kirn' j •

from there the two routes take the sumo course. t The second is shown by a > ellovr doited line leaving Greyniouth by the Hokitika llailway and Road Eeservc for some distance ; then proceeding inland across the Saltwater tp "Wcl simian's, thence by the Limestone Ci'eek to German Terrace, and then to the Eight Mile, up the Eight Mile to a Pass at its source, then across in a south by east direction to the Greenstone, 'lhese two routes are bo.li good, with no very high ground or serious difficulties to make them costly ; in the Pass to the west of Median's track, I believe there would be a certain amount of rockwork, but the limestone is soft and easily wrought. However, as there is a tramway made as far as Eutherglen, which will enable goods to bo delivered at £2 10s per ton, and a pack track on from there to Welshman's, I ihink you will agree with, me that at present it would be advisable to commence the road at Welshman's, in order to get into the back country at once, rather then spend a considerable sum of money in simply making what is alreads provided, viz., a road to Welshman's. I will now say a few words about the proposed race for supplying the terraces at the head of Maori Gully and the New Uiver with water. After leaving the peak at the head of Liverpool Bill's Gully, I made for the Lake, heading German Gully and the New Eivcr. Passing Big Hohonu, but as there was a heavy flood in that river all the while I was there, I cannot give an accurate idea of the quantity of water at ordinary times. I have no doubt, however, that there is quite _suflicient for the purpose required, and that a good line may be had for the race, as tho whole of the country lying between the Hohonu and Maori Gully is terrace country. I have referred to this matter as I think your Eoad Board would do well to contribute a certain amount, towards the speculation, on the understanding that a road shall be made alongside the race of the stuff thrown out of the cuttings, wherever that may be practicable, your Board making any parts wqere tnere may be fluming or steep sidlings. The race would thus answer the double purpose of supplying water and means of communication, and if the road from Welshman's to the Greenstone was made, you would then have two lines of road parallel to the beach line, which would both be opening up new country. In conclusion, I may say that I found the miners' opinion of the country quite coincided with my own,»that the whole of tho terraces are auriferous, and water only is wanted to extract ihe gold; miners in some places having been working for three years, and working only in heavy weather, that is less than half their time. Now, all the country between the New Uiver and the Tcremakau is terrace country, and I believe tho only reason that there is not a population working there at the present time is want of means of communication, and want of water at a sufficient elevation to command the terrace country. I have, &c, JaSITJS EOCHF-IRT, County Engineer.