CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 234, 27 January 1855, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To theEditor\of theJLyllellon Times. g jKj _As I understand that (.the Provincial (joverninent have invited opinions upon their proposed land regulations, and as it is most ''^jniblejthiit members of every class should ftui'forth then- views, I beg you^will give me sWopportunity of doing- so. I most cordially agree with Doctor Barker in expressing the utmost''astonishment that the Government scheme 'should not devote any portion of the laud fund to- the furtherance of icli-non. But I believe, knowing the'characlcr of those forming fthe Government, that they would reform their plan in this respect if they thought that a large majority of the people here wished to put religion and education on a sound footing in this their adopted country. I firmly believe that nine-tenths of the people here would answer " Yes" to the following question —" Should you like to 6ee a portion of the land fund set apart for religious and educational purposes —the money to be divided amongst the Christian denominations now in [this Province fairly in proportion to their contributions to the land fund, leaving each denomination to spend its fund as seemed to it ibest?" : Unfortunately, rthe omission by the highest 'authorities here has led several excellent men 'who'have lately written in the newspapers to consider any secure provision for religious and educational purposes as hopeless, and to devote their energies to organizing the voluntary system which in the early days of a colony affords but precarious and very unsatisfactory support to the ministers of religion. However, do not let us consider the matter settled until the public feeling on the subject has been fairly called forth. I am, Sir, Yours obediently, Charles O. Torlesse. Kangiora, Jan. 22, 1855.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, —The question of voads having of late engaged much of the public attention, I shall be glad, if in ) rour columns, you will give me an opportunity to lay before the public some ideas which have been entertained by me during the last £two years. Whilst roads, in old and densely populated countries, are found by experience to be the most vapid means of diffusing knowledge and civilization, breaking down the barriers of prejudice and ignorance, and linking wan to his fellow, with us it must suffice if they lay open our finest tracts of country, and realize those statements and promises which have been held up of this country and its resources. To every one who has studied the charts of New Zealand, it is a notorious and self-evident fact that the finest tracts of agricultural land in these islands, are everywhere separated by high hills and mountains from the best harbour ; in fact, I may say, this is one of the strongest characteristics of this country, and to this rule I know of no absolute exception. But, that less difficulty presents itself to our view here against the utilitarian occupation of the vast and fruitful plains of Canterbury, is my purpose now to shew. It is no stretch of fancy to suppose that when He who laid the eternal foundations of our hills, and moulded the basin of Port Victoria harbour, it was not without a reason that the hills between Gibbie and Manson's Bay, and the northern shores of Lake Ellesmere,\vere left of so small an altitude compared to the rest of the separating range. Circumjacent to these hills, is a district of some 150,000 {acres, the easiest manner of approach to which shall now be my theme. From point to point across the entrance of Gibbie and JManson's bay, I should suggest the building of a sea wall where it would cioss the low water channel, make a canal 30 feet broad, and 8 feet deep, in a straight line to high water spring tide mark. At the top of this canal make a float or dock of 2 or S acres with a halftide gate. Into this float let the broad V chains that shall be leit by Government for that district empty themselves. When this is done, open the embankment wall, and allow the wafer ingi'css and egress. This wall may be made From the boulder and other stones, which are to be found in profusion on the adjacent shores, (a little island of freestone, above Quail Island would be found useful for coping). It will require but little masonry skill in its erection, and will have, if I may so express it, but little to do,

other than [resisting the pressure fof the tides, I sometimes increased by the influence of the : rare N.W. wind. At certain seasons of the tide the passage between Chartres Bay and Quail Island would-be available. Such walls as I here propose, are common in the West of England, in the construction of tidal mill-dams, at a height of about 8 feet, and for these long stones are always chosen, laid on their edges in parallel lines, and tilled in between with rubble. The land on either side of the canal embankment would speedily dry, the drainage of the valleys into the float at its terminus being already provided, and would be available for many purposes: a lidd mill would find an appropriate site. From the edge of the float -commence a line of road, ascending the northern i aceW the low range of hills, on a siding, turning their summit on the western extreme, and descending to the plains in the direction of the base of the hills called the " Knobs." To this line of road I apprehend no difficulty will be raised on the score of engineering, or that the gradient would be otherwise than easy. I am aware that a line of road from Lyttelton round by the head of the bay would attain the same end, nor am I blind to the fact, that such a road would open a district having a positive worth, and which would be more available for occupation should the regulations come into effect which are now laid before the public by the Government. But it is open to a doubt whether the advantage to be gained is commensurate with the expense such a road would entail, if made available for draft. But while this is a most important point, it does not appear to me wise to overlook the very large water privilege, which the plan I propose would render feasible. And here let me state that this project of reclaiming land from the sea is not a crotchet, nor is it to be viewed as Quixotic, or to be met with the objection of being unnecessary in a new country, where immigrants have all before them where to choose, but it is Tather a component part of the plan by which we grasp so large a water privilege.^The shore reached by the canal, the great high road to Timaru and the South would immediately commence, by which a district of some 150,000 acres would be opened, of the best quality for agriculturalipurposes.ri Its construction would decrease the expences and risks attendant upon the transport and shipment of wool and other exports, while the district contiguous to its line may be said to be better off for timber than any part yet located upon. We all know of many who are desirous of emigrating to our settlement, who, while they readily admit the worth and value of the lands adjacent to our rising towns, can see little or no present prospect of being able to obtain land which shall in all probability rise in value in the same ratio as that invariably does which is approximate to towns when they are wisely located. Supposing this "plan met with approbation, one new township would certainly be necessary at the site of debarcation, a village would as a matter of course find its site where the road touched the plains. The sale of the township lands may be roughly estimated at £20,000; the rural land [brought into marketable value, ata low estimate, maylbe put down at£2oo,ooo. This supposed equivalent I shall venture to state will never be found in our treasury unless and until some such scheme shall be carried out. It may here be proper that I should hazard a few remarks upon that most delicate of all subjects, "vested rights." A scene of so much industry in the neighbourhood of Lyttelton, would present to all, whether owners or leaseholders, of lands or buildings in that town, or engaged in its multifarious pursuits, a greater chance of realizing their hopes, from a renewed impetus being given them, by the opening of such a. field, than in any other way that I can i see. And although this may not be apparent !to some on first sight, I think on calm consideration all will allow it. I Christchurch and the Northern districts would i have nothing of which to be jealous, unless dis- ! posed "to ignore any other districts than their ! own. ! I&.1V those who are still looking at Canterj bury with every desire to make it their abode, and yet demurring1, so large a work, I opening so maiiy advantages -in prospectu, would be conclusive, while Government, by a carefully digested mode of introducing labour, would wisely preclude the nossibi-

lity of the private employers', of it standing in antagonism to them, the one outbidding the other, while those who invested their money at high prices in the acquirement of land, stock, and property of all descriptions, would have far removed from them any reason to fear a depreciaiion.of prices, which they would consider as ruinous. It may be said that a considerable portion of this proposed advantage would he acquired by a landing place Ibeing formed at either point of Gibbie and Manson's bay, from which a road could ; be carried to the base of the hills, but such, plan would give uo impetus to the many branches of healthy enterprise which "the other would open. The townships might then fall to the lot of some hungry speculator, in which case the public treasury would be minus ithe proceeds. However, the last-named tnay be as much as it may be prudent for us to undertake. Dispassionately viewing my proposition, and contrasting it with what is sought to be obtaintd in Wellington, by a long and expensive road to the plains of the Wairarapa, it is a very small work; and what would not our neighbours of Nelson give did they see their way so easily to the plains of the Wairau? Were we inclined to obtain funds for any such work by application for an imperial loan, or from large capitalists, could we devise any line of operations which, in their ultimate effect, could present so material a guarantee for our solvency when accomplished ? Still I do not intend by this to advance any argument that it would be advisable to have recourse to any such means as the hypothecation of any capital to be hereafter derived from the sale of our unoccupied lands. The question of such forestalment I shall leave to those more advanced in the science of political economy than myself, being quite aware that upon a just view of so momentous a subject being taken the future common weal mast hinge ; nor would I wish to urge upon this Settlement, when only four years old and not yet out of training, the undertaking of a work which might be found to belong to a more advanced stale. It may be supposed that while proposing this work I should give some calculations of the expense, but seeing that when they are entered upon by unpractical men they are for the mostjpart erroneous, and as such, mischievous, I leave them to those whose business it is to make them, adding as my conviction that it will be done at some future and not very distant date. . I am. Sir, your obedient servant, RoBEKT GKEAVES. Akaroa, Jan. 22, 1855.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton limes. Sir, —The numerous letters which have appeared in your columus and those of the Standard since I wrote to you, prove that a plan for raising a General Diocesan. Fund had already occupied the attention of many Churchmen: and in this I find ample proof that the waut of such a fund has already made itself generally felt: that the necessity for raising it is already pressing. I am glad to notice in your last paper the letter written from Otago by Mr. Fenton, a clergyman who was not so short a time among us but that we could learn to-respect his opinion. His letter goes to show that at other places the case is much the same as with us here, I could wish the " Church of England Settlement," were the first to set about meeting it in-real earnest, so that our example might be offered as a proof of vitality in one colonial offshoot at least of the Anglican Church. Myself and others have ascertained that many would willingly join in raising a general fund for paying the clergy: and that for the sake of making a step forward they would be content, at first starting, to entrust to a small Committee the distribution of 'grants in aid' of the present very insufficient ecclesiastical income. Of course before auy final steps were taken a meeting of those who would support a general fund should be held, in order to agree upon a plan and a few general rules. Mr. Mackie, I believe, cau perceive no advantage in a Diocesan Fund. The authority in its favor of such a man as Bishop Selwyo will be sufficient for most New Zealand churchmen. Nor does Mr. Mackie feel £i quite certain" it would be an "advantage" that every clergyman should be sure of a " sufficient income/ But Judge Halliburton, a man of acute observation and great practical experience, has borne ample testimony to the evils which jiave arisen iv

America for want of a proper guarantee to the clergyman, that his income is not to be dependent on the variable fanaticism of his congregation. The clergy should be responsible to the church,but not to small sections of it. To Mr. Feniou's proposal that pew rents should be set apart for the officiating minister of the church in which they are collected,! think there will be found grave objections. If such rents are to be collected at all, many will be strongly of opinion that 'hey should be placed i?K the common Diocesan fund, along with all money whatsoever raised upon Church property; and that any increase to the'salary of iftheir pastor should be made by special contributions of the congregations. -■ But there are many strong reasons, accepted by high authorities in Church matters, against pew rents at all. They give rise gradually to distinctions unseemly in the place of worship, which should be common to all, rich or poor. Nor are they required, as some think, for the sake of preserving order; because to maintain that is the duty of churchwardens. u.»By the general law and common right all the pews in the church are common property of the parish for the use in common of the parishioners, who are all entitled to be seated orderly and conveniently so, as best to provide for the accommodation of all. The right of appointing what persons shall sit in each seat belongs to the Ordinary. The churchwardens, as officers of the Ordinary, are to place the parishioners. A parishioner has a right to a Eeat in the church without any payment. He may cite the Churchwardens in the Ecclesiastical court "to shew cause why they hare not seated them properly. " The purchasing or renting of pews in churches is contrary to Ecclesiastical law.'' Without entering farther upon this question, I will only observe at present that on the 31st of December next, the,clergy of Canterbury will be without any salary guaranteed to them. And if we wish to act towards them in the spirit of common justice and honesty, we are bound at once to take steps so as to secure them, like all other public servants, before that date, of the position they are to be placed in. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, H.

To the Editor of the Li/ttelton Times. Sir,—Allow me to ask, through the medium of your paper, whether (after what took place at the meeting of the Board yesterday) the Church irustees will venture to proceed to* an election ? I should hope not, if they have any regard to the peace and welfare of the Church. ° Your readers will learn from your report that the oojectionable Bye-laws were* confirmed, not by a .majority of those present, not even by a casting-vote,, butvby means of a rather anomalous power.conferred p n the chairman of -ivimr two votes,:at,a winch votes were exercised To prevent the reconsideration of those Bye-laws Nearly tfe whole of the proceeding of our Trustees have been of a piece. For a W time they seemed to consider that they were°called M?& V°/ lher PUI'POSe *«"*abu£ All. fcewell; (and some things were enacted under that impression-witnels thepr e^rf re p ortseQUo EnglandO-and when at length they were called to order by public opinion and were respectfully uv-JTS he work W ffh icL they rr e orated, wit indecent haste, at an adjourned meetin- they SrS'V^ °Ut the Settlementt°t; thp2 rfehes .viibout giviug notice either by advertise--21 Z^^^ k "« tbe to wants of th?ri' a, dlVlsl on so unsuitedto the wants oi the Church, and so unjust, that when =»;«.«,:— sat-5 IIfHSSSSS c";"l?V«M V 1 th" «a.c or c.cot under S'^L^SVLTt

may be in such a position as fairly to urge Mr. Sewell not to transfer any funds to a body in whom so large a portion of the Church can have no confidence. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Jas. Spowkrs. P.S. I hear that four of the clergy and two of the laity have resigned their seats, and have refused to take any part in carrying out the obnoxious bye-laws.