E. DoBSON. — State of Applied Science in Canterhury. 135 



New Zealand Alps, connectiug the City of ChristcliurcL. with Hokitika and 

 Grreymoutli, the ports of the western gold fields. 



The Otira Eoad is a remarkable work in every point of view. Whether 

 we consider the grandenr of the scenery through which it passes, the geo- 

 logical interest of the Alpine districts which it traverses, the engineering 

 difficulties attendant on its construction, or the hardships manfully endured 

 by those engaged on the undertaking, it is in every way a work reflecting 

 credit, not only on the Canterbury Province, but on all New Zealand. 



Up to the commencement of the year 1865 there was no road from the 

 Canterbury Plains to the "West Coast, except a very rough and dangerous 

 path cut across the Hurunui saddle by Mr. Charlton Howitt, in 1862, by 

 means of which, at considerable risk, horses could be taken as far as Lake 

 Brunner. Mr. Hovsdtt was engaged, at the time of his death, in 1863, in 

 cutting a track from Lake Brunner to the mouth of the Grreenstone Creek, 

 but it was not practicable for horses. It is true that horses had been taken 

 down the Teremakau to the beach, but this could only be done when the 

 river was low, and then not without considerable risk. 



Up to the date last mentioned, but little attention had been paid to the 

 fact that, notwithstanding the inaccessible nature of the country, a very-large 

 number of diggers had found their way into Westland, and were pursuing 

 their vocation with considerable success. 



About the beginning of 1865, however, the reports sent by the miners to 

 their friends were of such '&, favourable character that a violent rush set in 

 from Eastland to the new El Dorado, and the attention of the Grovernment 

 was directed to the best method of opening up a communication with the 

 gold fields. To this end, Messrs. Edwin and Walter Blake were sent to 

 improve Hewitt's track by the Hurunui and Teremakau to Lake Brunner, 

 and to explore for a line of road, in continuation, across the country between 

 the Teremakau and Hokitika. 



At the same time Mr. George Dobson and the Provincial Engineer 

 were charged with the examination of the Waimakariri and its tributaries, 

 to ascertain whether there were any passes which might afford greater 

 facilities for constructing a road across the Alps, than that by the Hurunui 

 saddle. 



The results of these explorations were published in a report from the 

 Provincial Engineer, dated 15th May, 1865, amply illustrated with maps and 

 sections. 



In accordance with the recommendations of this report, the G overnment 

 at once took steps for the construction of a bridle road over Arthur's Pass, 

 descending into the Teremakau by the gorge of the Otira. It was at first 

 intended to construct a mere bridle track, but the importance of the new 



