ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 111, 4 November 1846, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To thb Editor op the " Welling row Independent." _ Sin,—As the "New Zealand Company" is likely to be broken up, and the 30 copies of the »* Spectator " that it at present takes, likely thus, to be thrown on the Editor's hands, may 1 suggest that if an invasion of Wellington is threatened by the rebals, the Editor of that correct paper, way be placed as an advanced piquet, to distribute' them among the disaffected. I«m sure that the abuse contained in them would be enough to frighten away any body of men. Your's truly. \ Stoker. (No connection with the'". Driver's,") Wellington, November 3. 1845.

To thb Editor ojt. thb "Wellington INDEPENDENT." Sir,—The subject of ferries, so important in many points of view, appears to me to have) been entirely overlooked. The present communication from Port Nicholson to Wanganui, is rendered uncertain, and I may say dangerous, owing to the absence of the means of crossing the various rivers flowing into the Straits between the two settlements. It occurs to me that ferries might be established at a trifling cost to. the Government. In Hungary and many of the northern countries of Europe, the Executive provides the boats or punts as the case may be; a fixed sum is charged for the passage of man or beast, and the whole of the regulations are drawn up, and overlooked by proper officers appointed by Government. It may be urged that in this colony, : so lately established, the expense would fill too heavily upon the Government. But, on the one hand, whilst I deny that the expense would be too serious for the Government to take ttie matter in hand, on. the other, I urge that tbe importance of keeping the communication open at all times between Wellington and Wanganui—imperatively demands that the Local Executive should establish ferries at whatever cost. Themost tangible plan appears to be the appointing of any white man settled on any of the rivers to the office of ferry keeper When Europeans are not located on the spot, then to appoint such Datives as can be depended upon. A rate of charges to be fixed upon, and a copy placed in the hands of each of the ferry keepers. The Government to purchase flat bottomed boats for the ferries, where the natives or white people cannot make use of canoes. Each European so employed tobaallowed to keep a house of refreshment, frea of all charges, to have a portion of ground given him for his own use,'and to receive a small stipend from the Government. There are other minor points to be considered, but I trust, Mr. Editor, you will call attention to the subject, and urge the Government to adopt some plan for the establishment of ferries, in those districts through which it is necessary and desirable to keep tbe communication open. I am, Sir,

Your's &c„

Pro bono Publico. Wellington, November 3, 1846.

To tub Editor or the \" Wellington Independent."

Sir,—Though I a'int generally fond of writing in newspapers, 1 have heard so many Opinions about a late article in the Spectator concerning the roads, and so many guesses as to the writer and his object in making such a queer attack, that although I don't know for certain who it was, I reckon I a'int far astray in my guess, but won't mention names ; and I'll how tell you some of what I've heard, as its the fashion to do here. I believe its the opinion of the writer that the best foundation for roads in this place, would be a pavement of blue pills with a strata of boluses on top, over which the mettaling 6 feet deep of Epsom salts, should be laid, this he thinks would make a fine road, and if it did not bog the settlers, would.at any rate astonish the natives, and work all bilious or other nasty accumulations out of the interior of the road,'at the same time that it would raise the price of useful articles at present' rather low. Others who have sections near the road covered with timber, say that all the timber for miles found ought to be cut down and tbe road made of it, so that it might, float about the valley in times of flood, and give every ope " chance of its resting near them. The blacksmiths say that more iron work should beused on it; and the carpenters that it should be constructed entirely of sawn timber. All however, agree in condemning the present plan of using earth for raising the road, as it can be had for nothing, and does'nt do good to anybody-, and being interested in putting bricks and mortar together myself. I am sure that they alone can make a decent road; and if the hint I now give is'nt taken and a large order for bricklaying immediately given, I'll write a leader next week in Old Bob's paper. But as I'm of a generotn disposition,*l'll first give the Government a little friendly advice, and then if they wont take it, its not my fault, Hnd I can abuse them with a clear conscience. My advice is whenever there is public money to be spent in executing any public works, to give it in private, in snug jobs as the New JJealand Company used, to the most discontented or troublesome; so that they can clear at least £200 per cent., and I will be boundthere will be no more

abuse, even for flic sak» of annoying individuals, ever) one will be silent, and even the vigilant Spector's Dog will cease to bark or shake his spear for a time in expectation of a tit bit for himself, but beware of neglecting him too long, as hope deferred •aaketh the stomach (query bean) sick, and he might again begin to grin.

If any one is inclined to doubt the efficacy of this plain, see bow the New Zealand Company su -c eded look for instance at the filling of the hush al.ing the' Porirua road, which was let to a Wend at 15"<i. per cha n, which he found numbers glad to do at 4s. Od. At the Hutt bridge a piece of monstrosity unequalled in any civilized country, which lasted but two years, all of which time it did the greatest i* jary to the river banks. Yet this structure cost, lam told, £500 though a most responsible Hutt settler offered' to build and maintain a much better one for j£3oo. Again look at the new Porirua Roa i near Kai Warra. Can any tiling be worse t.h»n the slopes a mile and a half longer than another line, to pleise a settler who is a large land holder under the Company, or ra'her a holder of their land orders. I, only know that whenever there ia a jib Jb be done along the road, I can'c get a cart to take more thin 100 bricks or 456 Ibi weight at a time,- *nd push and put stones under the wheels at different places, while the horse takes a rent. Aud this is to be one of the main roads in the district. If so 1 triink it must be altered or the rest of the road will be useless. I could mention many other J ttle bits of things Mr. Editor, hut I calculate those wili ba enough to show the Government how content peo ile were in former days, no remarks.were then made as every one was afraid to expose a system from which each might benefit in turn; bit now th-it they have passed away, vigilance and criticism is the order of the day, though not alwiys j lined w th truth, when there ia any private resentment to gratify, and even Doctors bagin to prescribe road<. I hope the Government will see th* neces* sity of going back t-> the old state of things, and be. gin by encouraging building, otherwiV >\^ y w m find me a troublesome inquisitor if unemployed. Yours, &c. .].■■'. Old Bill. P. S.—l would take instead any little place where there would be little to do, at a salary of ,£l9O per annum or upwards, and being a tilented fellow it would be for the benefit of literature, as lam at present writing a treatise on the -composition of the mud usually found along the beach, and the Editorial articles of the Guardian.