NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 120

I may mention that the whole country, from the
Wangapeka Plain to the reef, (about thirteen miles,)
and to the snow line on the mountains, is bush.
There are several patches of fine flat land suitable for
agricultural purposes; and at the junction of the
Rolling River there is a good site for a township;
and at the junction of Blue Creek and Nuggety
Creek, quite sufficient flat land for quartz crushing
machines and workmens\' houses.

Water-power to almost any extent, may be
obtained by going a very short distance up either
Blue Creek or Nuggety Creek, as the fall is very
rapid and the volume of water considerable. Indeed
at present there is sufficient water brought down for
digging purposes, to drive heavy machinery.

With regard to roads I may say that nothing
is required from Nelson to the Motueka River,
except some slight repairs up Norrice\'s Gully, lead-
ing to Spooner\'s Range. But the road from the
Motueka to the Tadmor, though at present pretty
good, requires a thick coat of metal for about three
miles; if this is done at once it will be a road capable
of bearing heavy traffic; but if the heavy traffic
comes upon it before it is metalled, it will be almost
impossible to make it good. The road over the
Tadmor hill also requires metalling, but as
at the Nelson side it is exceedingly steep, it
would be scarcely wise to go to any expense in that
way till it is reformed and the gradients eased, as has
been most successfully done on the other side by the
District Road Board, from the Chairman of which I
am the bearer of a letter to the Superintendent
asking for assistance to enable them to do what is
necessary to put the roads into such a condition as
to bear the heavy traffic which may be anticipated.
From the Tadmor hill over the Wangapeka plain
little is required till the road enters the bush, thirteen
miles from Blue Creek, and about forty-seven miles
from Nelson, and here the cart road ends. From this
point to the junction of the Rolling river, ten miles,
there is nothing to prevent a good and moderately
level cart road being formed, at no great expense,
except at one or two places where there would be
some heavy rock cutting for a short distance. Up
Rolling river to Blue Creek, and a-half miles,
the hills came pretty close to the river, so that heavy
side cutting will be required most of the distance,
still there is no obstacle of any consequence; and I
see no reason why a good cart road should not be made
from the Wangapeka plain to Blue Creek, for the
average cost of such roads through the bush in this
Province.

The whole distance from Nelson is about 60 miles,
namely:—
26 miles first-rate Cart Road
14 ,, moderate ,,
4 ,, very moderate ,,
3 ,, bad ,,
—
47 miles
10 ,, good bush Horse Road
3 ,, moderate ,,
—
60 miles.
The above is merely a rough estimate.

It might be well to consider whether, instead of
making a cart road up the Wangapeka, a light tram-
way like the Dun Mountain might not be constructed
at a moderate price; wooden rails could be used in
the first place. Should a tramway be made, it would
be necessary to bridge the River Dart, which would
not be needed for a cart road at present. It is quite
unnecessary here to enter into the comparative merits
of cart roads and tramways, but as one or the other
will probably be required, it is worth thinking about.

Possibly the new wire railway might be sufficient
for the ordinary traffic, but as heavy machinery will
be required for quartz crushing, the wires will not be
strong enough to carry it.

With regard to heavy machinery, of course it can-
not be taken up till there is something better than a
horse road.

It would be most satisfactory if a few tons, an
average sample of both reefs, could be procured at
two or three different places and sent to Nelson to
be tested, it could easily be brought down by the
return pack-horses and drags, and some simple
machine for crushing it might be improvised here, so
that it could be tested under our own eyes, and not
sent elsewhere. For before going to the heavy
expense, both public and private, which will be
necessary to erect machinery on the spot, it would
be well to ascertain, definitely, whether there is a
reasonable chance of permanent success, of which I
trust there is little doubt.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES BURNETT.

P.S.—I have neglected to mention that a ferry
over the Motueka River is very much needed, as at
present there is no chance of foot passengers crossing
when the river is a little flooded.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government of the Province of Nelson, by NATION and LUCKIE, Waimea-
street, Nelson, Printers for the time being to the said Government.