MEETINGS AT LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 296, 1 September 1855, Page 5

MEETINGS AT LYTTELTON.

(From a Correspondent.) By desire of the Superintendent the principal members of the mercantile community of Lyttelton met in the Resident Magistrate's office, about tbe 19th ult., to hear his Honor's views in reference to laying down a tramway between Lyttelton and the Ferry, by converting the line of road at present in progress to that purpose. His Honor stated that the tramway would only cost the sum required to furnish the road as now laid out. After a lengthened conversation it was agreed that such a thing would be very desirable could the means be procured for the necessary outlay. Some considered a loan for such a purpose by local debentures would meet with support, but others thought the finances of the Settlement at present would not bear any large amount of capital to be abstracted from its present channels of employment. Most, however, agreed that a temporary tramway of wood, similar to what is usually adopted* by the Americans on the outset of their lines, would be of great benefit, and might come within the compassof our present means. His Honor stated that he would confer with the Provincial Engineer on the subject, and the meeting broke up.

I On Friday, the 24th ult., the same parties , were again assembled, when His Honor [ stated tbat any provisional tramway would be utterly inefficient and useless according to the opinions of the Provincial Engineer, and enquired whether the mercantile community would assent to a tramway being laid down from Christchur«h to the Shag Rock. This idea did not appear to the meeting at all to meet the present difficulties and delays, nor to avoid the great danger arising from crossing the Sumner bar, the point where the loss of vessels and property has principally occurred. The Superintendent stated that it would accelerate tbe traffic by enabling vessels arriving at the river to discharge, load, and depart, with greater dispatch ; but his attention was directed, to the fact that the carrying department by drays was greatly in advance of the shipping; so much so, as to have occasioned serious and irreparable loss for want of adequate storeage, which would, year by year, increase, and, so long as the difficulty of crossing the bar exi-ted, would delay and danger continue ; as also, that a substantial road to the Ferry, adequate to the present wants of the Settlement, now existed, and that so far a tramway was wholly unnecessary. It should be stated, that His Honor, as an inducement to his scheme being adopted, guaranteed that the Provincial Government would complete the road to Lyttelton when funds should be procurable for that purpose ; but the feeling of the meeting generally was, that the prospect appeared too remote and uncertain, and the danger not obviated, to warrant the appropriation of the monies at present in the provincial chest to any other purpose than the completion of a direct line of communication between tbe Port and tbe Plains. His Honor concluded by stating the Lyttelton merchants were all wrong, and then the meeting terminated. Lyttki/ton Colonists' Societt. — Meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 28th, Dr. Donald, President, in the chair. Mr. M'Cardall delivered his promised lecture on " the music of the present and of the Elizabethan Age, compared," accompanied with illustrations. There was a large audience, and the lecturer was frequently applauded.