I deem it effectual with this sum improvements, in the usual manner.
The sanction has arisen, of little being derived from the Governor. The question is what we are to do with these Roads, there being no considerable traffic upon them.
The country is very thickly peopled and but little cultivated, and it is now apparent that there are numerous available sites, in several apparently healthy and beautiful parts of the Island. I can speak positively that the Chinese appreciate these Roads, and although, as before stated, the traffic is not considerable, it enables them to bring their produce to Market in a safer and more expedient manner than by sea, and only in the vicinity of the Roads are they able to use them in a military point of view; of this I can be no judge, but certainly during my last command it was thought advisable to complete the circuit of the Island, and to effect Communication with each of the Military Stations, and which it is not always practicable to do by sea; with this object and the improvement of the Island as encouragement to settlers, both Native and European, I conceived the Roads were made, for the former for the cultivation of the land and the latter for country locations, of which there are several.
The cattle are driven to graze upon them, though they are always brought home at night to Victoria. It is my opinion that it would be unwise to abandon the Roads altogether, and if real encouragement were given to settlers for the cultivation of the grounds, and the land given rent free for a number of years, we should have a respectable resident class of inhabitants, who would be enabled to supply the Market with every necessary produce; and the rearing and feeding of cattle might be conducted entirely upon the Island, with advantage, instead of being ...
Page 330
Page 331