CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 306, 6 October 1855, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sik,—Although the resolutions proposed at the recent meeting held at Christchurch, touching the old question of the " Communication between the Port and the Plains" were passed so unanimously, I beg to offer another suggestion on this all-important question. It is well known that the proposed tramway cannot be completed in time for the carriage of next season's produce, and although the cart road will no doubt be completed as far as the Shag Rock long before that period, it will not be practicable for drays during the winter months, the time it is most wanted; the same may be said of that part of the present Sumner road between Christchurch Quay and the Ferry upon which there will be a very large traffic so soon as the new wharf at the latter is opened for business, (which I hear will be in the course of the present month), and which will be impracticable for drays in the winter season unless metalled, and thereby rendered useless as a further outlet for produce. Under these circumstances, we shall therefore be placed in a worse situation next year as regards our produce than we were this, as we shall have nearly double the quantity grown, and only the store at the Quay to put it in. I would therefore suggest that before any money is expended on the tramway, we should [endeavour to continue the metalling of the Sumner Road as far as the Ferry. It is a work that must be done sooner or later, and indeed I consider it absolutely necessary for the saving of the next harvest. Taking the cost at three times the contract amount for metalling the road from Christchurch to the Quay, "which is allowing a pretty good margin, it would require about £1500 to effect this work, and surely this trifling amount could be raised for such an important and permanent purpose. Another reason for the adoption of this plan is the fact that a large majority of the boat-owners have determined to discharge at the Ferry Wharf, and reduce their freights to 20s. In consequence ; they do not care to stop at the Shag Rock, as the wind and tide that takes them so far, carries them in half an hour to the Ferry, so that they really have no inducement to stop at the former place or to reduce their freights by doing so. Supposing, however, that the road should be practicable for drays in the produce season as far as the Shag Rock, and that the vessels did discharge there, what a fearful increase the additional cartage would make to the expenses of shipment. Let us take the expenses of shipment, (exclusive of wharfage), at the proposed wharves. Christchurch Quay, cartage from Christchurch to Christchurch Quay is 65., Freight from thence to Lyttelton, 255., Total, 31s. per ton, and very little storeroom. Ferry Wharf, cartage (I believe is to be) 10s., freight 205., total ,30s. Shag Rock, cartage, say (at least) 155., freight, 20s„ total, 355., and a deal of time lost in carting so far. So that at present the Shag Rock presents little prospect of a favourable wharf Tor shipment. The Ferry appears the best and most natural shipping place, the crafts intend to discharge there as soon as the wharf is ready to receive them, reducing their freights fairly in consequence, and we shall have large additional storeage for our produce, but these advantages will not be available unless the road is metalled. When Sir George Grey was here he generously offered us a loan for this purpose, but "we didn't believe in farming then, and we thought it sufficient to metal the road as far as the Quay. Let us now remedy the error, show that we are really put on our mettle, and accomplish the work forthwith — raising the required amount either by petitioning the Govern-

j rr.ent for a grant in anticipation, or by the j: means proposed wherewith to raise money | for the tramway. Let the great Lyttelton t and Christchurch road be gone on with by ! all means, but let us, before that can possi- \- bly be completed, secure ourselves from de- ; struction. I I am, Sir, I Your obedient servant, ; Nem. Con. j The Plains, Ist Oct. 1855.