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Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 285, 25 July 1855, Page 6

_ Tiie Coroner for Canterbury held an inquisition at Akaroa on Thursday last, on the body of Catharine D;tvid. The evidence showed that the deceased who was much given to intoxication, obtained a haif pint of spirits from two different public houses, drinking also a glass or two of brandy at each. A few minutes after leaving the last house, siie was found insensible with one bottle quite empty, the other containing only a spoonful : before she could be carried in to any house, she was quite dead. Verdict, apoplexy, induced by drinking ardent spirits to excess.

To the Editor nf the Li/HeltonTimes. Allow me to remonstrate for a moment on the manner in which the public funds of this Province have of lute been thrown away. Look, for instance, at Ihe Smnner-road. Thegreatest absurdity that ever was seen b_v a pair of English eyes. What have (he members of the Provincial Council been about to vote so many

thousands upon such a dangerous experiment? Do they suppose that liunian beings are going to ran the great risk of their lives in carriages, or even on horseback, along that piece of road, which is, in my opinion, unsafe even for foot passengers, and which, I am told, is so far completed —I mean that fronting upon the harbour; and again between the mouth of the-tunnel and the present ferry over the Heathcote. Can that he made safe either for passengers or luggage? I can only come to one conclusion —that is, that it is made for the convenience of the inhabitants of Sunnier. More than all, the distance from Christcliurch to Lyttelton will, according to a rough calculation, be about 12 miles, when, under the present circumstances, it-is only 7.

Now, Sir, just allow me to ask one question. Why was not the road chosen,-to be from tlie present Ferry to the foot of We Bridle-path,and then under" it and out at the other end of a tunnel, »nd there you are at once, and if our funds were insufficient 'to carry us all the way through atonee.it would have been far more to our credit to have waited a year or two, and then had a good and substantial road which would have proved itself to be a blessing to this young settlement; but it is too late to repent now I should have taken no notice of it myself, but hearing such bitter objections to this mode of squandering the public money, I was tempted to try my luck by begging you to insert this short epistle in your valuable columns. Believe me to remain, Sir, Four very obedient servant, Viates.