Zoom in to read details of this 1849 letter from the colonial secretary for New Munster, Alfred Domett, concerning 'the state of the road leading from the Port to the Town of Nelson'. Its residents had asked that 'the same aid may be extended to them as was offered towards the repairs of the Beach Road at Wellington'. Domett agreed that the government would provide '25 pounds, as requested, on condition of an equal amount being provided by the inhabitants'.

However, Domett also advised that 'an ordinance has been passed by the Legislative Council enabling residents of towns to levy rates for the repair of roads'. In future, local residents would be expected to meet the full cost of repairs to their roads from these rates.