Stocicdrivees and travellers along the West Coast between Wellington and Wanganui will rejoice to learn that there is every probability of Paikakariki Hill being henceforth shelved as a road. As a curiosity it will still possess con siderable interest. It has a picturesque charm about it that may beguile the tourist and mere pleasure-seeker out of some shorter and safer road that has yet to be made. It will be fresh in the minds of our readers that some few weeks ago the Provincial Government despatched a party under the guidance and control of Mr Carkeek to explore that patch of country lying between the Mungaroa and Waikanae in order to discover if a shorter and safer track than the road now in use could be found to the latter place. The first attempt was unsuccessful for several reasons*, the difficulties in the way were under estimated, the weather proved most un favorable, and owing to proper, or even necessary provision, not having been made, the party had to abandon the attempt after undergoing a considerable degree of hardship. About three weeks ago another effort was made, due provi sion having of course been made for several weeks camping out. As the piece of country to be explored is a.fail specimen of our native wild in all its primeval freshness —and also impassi bility—the party had not the most pleasant of tasks before them ; but as the weather was very favorable for then purpose it was accomplished with a moderate degree of comfort when com pared with the experiences of the first attempt. If our informant is not too sanguine as to the ultimate result of the expedition, the Provincial Government will have earned a fresh claim to fore sight and energy in studying the welfare of the province generally, and Mr Car keek will have given fresh proof of his judgment and skill as an officer of the Survey Department. We understand that from the point of departure, a short distance above Walden’s public house, the distance to Waikanae is under or within fifteen miles. Were this the sole advantage offered by the new track, possibly the matter might well be allowed to stand, at least for some time to come ; but there are other important advantages than that most desirable one of escaping the dangerous Paikakariki. 