Untitled

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 85, 21 August 1852, Page 10

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir,—The event of the week has been the fact (hitherto scouted as impossible) of a dray, drawn by two horses, being successfully brought into Lyttelton by the bridle path, and this too, be it remembered, when it is in its worst possible condition. lam induced, in consequence, to trouble you with a few lines to ask whether something cannot at once be done so as to render the Bridle-path more easy of transit for carts and drays. At present, Lyttelton and Christchurch, though almost within hail of each other, are to all practical intents and purposes as far asunder as Timbuctoo and Iceland, and for upwards of a month the latter Town has been almost denuded of the necessaries of life, owing to the stormy weather preventing boats crossing the bar at Sumner with goods from Lyttelton. With this fact staring the community in the face, entailing severe pecuniary loss and general discomfort and discontent, are we to sit idle and grumbling with our hands in our pockets, fingering imaginary cash, and not make some stir to avert the impending depopulation of the Colony ? It requires no prophetic gift to assert that if the people go away, the revenue will suffer, and the Settlement have no surplus money to apply to road-making. Some steps ought, therefore, to be at once taken to employ the population by seeking at head quarters for an advance of money to render the bridle-path more practicable for carriage conveyance, and no very large amount, I apprehend, is required for that purpose.

I liad hoped that the Colonist Societies ;ould have stirred in the matter: but, no : they have hitherto contented themselves with lectures, and discussing abstract political questions, all very proper and right, no doubt, but which will not, most assuredly, bring Lyttelton and Christchurch into closer affinity by the fractional part of an inch.

The Governor has recently sent to the (late, qy.) Road Committee, I believe, Mr. Boy's

estimate for finishing the Sunnier road. On the expediency of proceeding with that work there is much diversity of opinion ; but under the most unanimous feeling and circumstances that cannot be accomplished for up wards of a year, while within a very short time the bridle path can be made available (the opinions of all the Association's engineering " talents" to the contrary), and I hope, Mr. Editor, you will aid my endeavours to effect this, by inserting this letter in your columns. Publicity will, at all events, be gained, and that is something. I subscribe myself, Sir, Your Constant Reader, Tramper. Christchurch, August 19, 1852.