THE "LYTTELTON TIMES" SWAMP.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2002, 24 July 1880, Page 4

THE "LYTTELTON TIMES" SWAMP.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB PBBSS. Sib, —The heading in large letters " Colonel Bober'ta Confirms our Correspondent," in yesterday's " Lyttelton Times." somewhat attracted my attention. Eor some time it has caused me muoh amusement to nQtfl the way the correspondent has been making Mr Hamlin and other gentlemen corroborate him ; bnt I must confess that the way he twists Colonel Roberts' report to suit his assertions is a little too impudent. Many people who have not followed the matter closely may be led to suppose that these reports furnish a triumphant corroboration of the correspondent's veracity. Those readers who like myself have taken the trouble to sift the evidence, will have found out that if Messrs Bryce, Hamlin, and Colonel Eoberts have not given the lie direct to the " Lyttelton Times" correspondent, they have done eomething extremely like it. As to Mr Gustav Sohlieriki's declaration, it only adds force to the statements of the above gentlemen, with the additional interesting information that Mr G-ÜBtav had no stomach for work. What the "Lyttelton Times" correspondent did say was, that a road over two miles in length had to be abandoned in consequence of an impassable swamp. The " Times," in a leader of May 4th, having stated that " Government are obliged to abandon the original road line," proceeded to raise upon this falsehood one of their glittering castles of nonsense, at the same time patting To Whiti affectionately on the baok for his sagacious prophecy. In the meantime the road was gradually and without stoppage approaching a successful completion. I could scarcely have believed it possible that the " Lyttelton Times " should have shown such faith in a fanatic's' prophesy as to have made it a basis for such strong assertions. Colonel Eoberts, Mr Bryce, and Mr Hamlin state or infer very distinctly that no road has been abandoned, and they have all travelled over the whole length of road of whioh these very two miles form a part. The •' Lyttelton Times " would now have us to understand that its original statement was only to the effeot that there was a swamp. Perhaps there was! But it has apparently not been the insuperable obstacle it was stated to have been. " Unforeseen labour " will come into the most carefully work ;_ and, under the oircumstanoes, that this particular work has been well carried out I feel sure every thinking man will admit. Tours, &s., Vebitas.