EN ROUTE TO KIANDRA.
FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER
No. 1.
-- The battle of the roads to Kiandra bids fair to equal the
battle of the gauges. Eden v. Merimbula is now the question. During the time I have been
here I have had opportunities of speaking with all classes of diggers and store-keepers
who have travelled both roads, and their opinions are so divided that it is very difficult to
come to any decision.
The complaint here is that Merimbula, a private township -- gets a far greater share of
the public money voted for roads than this place, a Government township. One great
cause of complaint is, that the Government have commenced a road to Sturt township, a
distance of some twelve miles -- that they have cleared it for seven miles, and left it so
that it is for all traffic purposes useless. In the map by Mr. Pearson, of the
Surveyor-General's office, Sydney, by far the best yet published, the present roads will
be seen at a glance. This new road is not marked, but by a reference to the map it will be
seen that a direct line from Eden to Sturt will be about twelve miles -- and the completion
of it is what the community of this place require -- for, irrespective of Kiandra, they say
such a road would greatly facilitate the forwarding of wool from the interior to Eden for
shipment. It is stated that by the expenditure of £3000 the remainder of the road might be
cleared, and the road from Sturt to Cathcart placed in such a state of repair that traffic at
all seasons would be easily accomplished; and without the expenditure of this sum, if the
remainder of the road to Sturt was only cleared, drays would have no difficulty in making
their way on either side of the present road to Cathcart -- grass and water being abundant.
I have it also, on good authority, if this road was cleared and placed in repair to Catchcart,
that one of the largest coach proprietors in Victoria would place a line of American
coaches between this place and Russell's, and that loading would be taken from Eden to
Russell's, at this present time, for £25 per ton; two things most devotedly to be wished for.
A reference to the map I have above quoted will show that from Cathcart to Russell's is a
direct line, and acknowledged by all to be a good road. The expenditure of such a sum of
money would have the effect of opening a direct road, I think it could not be more
advantageously laid out; it is for the Government to see if such is the case.
I have taken every means to get the best information I can, and, although the people here
are naturally disposed to look upon Eden as the best route, I have only thought it right
that you should be in possession of these opinions so generally expressed here, that
attention may be called to it; and if they are, as I believe them to be, facts, some action
may be taken.
Whatever disputes there may be with respect to the roads, there can be no doubt about the
harbours. That Twofold Bay possesses advantages naturally superior to Merimbula, and
that the bulk of the Victorian, Tasmanian, and South Australian traffic will be via
Twofold Bay; and if such a road as I have described can be made, the forwarding of
goods to Kiandra will no longer be a question of such doubt and uncertainty.
The Tasmania, from Hobart Town, arrived here at five a.m., and landed between thirty
and forty passengers for Kiandra.