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Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 352, 15 March 1856, Page 6

To the Editor of the Ltjltvlton Times. Sir, —'" Gross infringement of the liberty (>f the subject,'' is a pet phrase with aspiring politicians, whether the subject in question, he the supervision of the Habeas Corpus Act, or the fixing of a now }>ump. We have imported the phrase along with other notions; and from the siyns of vitality shewn, it seems destined to a long' and arduous service among us. Late occurrences have brought this phrase so much into play, that there is a danger of its becoming- a mete convert, tional figure of speech, while the idea of the fact which it embodies becomes mythical and liazy. There is a danger that in grasping at the shadow we may lose the object. There seems a superfluity of vapouring about, a necessary act of legislation, (I say this without approving or condemning the measure,) while a measure «vhich ultimately may far more infringe upon the true liberty of the subject, is allowed to slip through our Provincial Council without a^y comment or opposition. The Bill to which I allude bears the title of " Sidey's Improvement Bill;" it is a bill to enable Mr. Suley of Kaiapoi to enclose and reclaim a portion of land lying opposite to the Kaiapoi Hotel, and to convert the same to his own use. Now according to the Ordinance of the Colony, a space of one chain wide as a road is reserved on each bank of the river, and as laid down in the plan of ihe town, the street is shewn open to the river wilh a broad esplanade to the Courtenr.y. When the town becomes more closely built up, as there seems every prospect of, this esplanade would become the great promenade of the pace, and would add much to the convenience, healthiness, and beauty of the town. As examples of what can be done by an open space, such as the Ordinance intended, I would refer to Paris and Dublin ; as a warning of the sin to be avoided, look at London : where from not having a fvae open shore and road on either side of the Thames, the public are totally excluded from the water side save at the bottom of some dark and dangerous slum or alley in Thames Street or Wapping-. Where was once a pleasant public walk with shady trees , the spirit of aggrandisement has encroached on from age to age, until wharfs and warehouses now usurp the public right of way. After the great fire, a struggle was made by Sir Christopher Wren, for the ancient rights of the public and for the restoration of the people's rights ; he whs but a single man against theuiiiled selfishness and the vested interest of monopoly, and lie tailed: now two hundred years after that time, it has became such a necessary work to reopen the old way, that an embankment must be formed at the cost of millions; all of which uiiirl't bave been savtMl, had the guardians "of ths peoples' 'iglils in past iiiics been true to their dust ; once having allowed the thin edge of the wedge to he inserted, they were unable to pr.jv.'nt ji, f U)in being driven home. The precedent about to be established at Kaiapoi, is dangerous, as it may be but the beginning of a series of eiiac

meats, to inclose part of the river bed until llu: whole of the front street at Ksinpoi will be converted into a back street with no water frontage, there is in the town of Lyttelton an example of the evil I complain of. Five years ago, Norwich Quay was open to the bay, the persons who bought or selected land on the esplanade, did so on the faith that it was so open to the water. Now what is the case ? For nearly one-third of the extent of the Quay it is enclosed and shut ofF from the public ; sheds ;U id warehouses are beginning to make their appearance ; Norwich Quay, or the Esplanade, is rapidly becom ing converted into a bad imitation of Wapping ; and the public are being deprived of a right without a word of remonstrance. My object is to draw the attention of the public to this question, ere it becomes too late. The projected encroachment at Kaiapui may be an improvement, the present inhabitants may be in favour of it, but it is an encroachment notwithstanding on the public rights; and we have no justification in acting merely on a course of expediency, to suit our present selfish aims, regardless of the wrong it entails on other generations. It is true that ttie act sought for reserves a towing path ; but it states no dimensions ; we know not what in law will be deemed a towing path : but will the Kaiapoi public be satisfied to exchange a road one chain wide and a free and uninterrupted view from the street of their noble river, for a back street, rows of sheds, warehouses and cranes, and a narow towing pat.li, turning this stream into a mere canal ? I remain, sir, Yours, &c, A XT I - WAPPIKG.

To the Editor of the " LyHelton Times." Sir, —Something has at last emanated from the Provincial Government which has broken the monotony of every-day life, and aroused the dormant energies of our politicians. I attended a Meeting at the Mitre Hotel last night, in which I heard the Public House Bill spoken of as a *' despotic and tyrannical measure, an infringement, on the liberties of the subject, and if such were allowed to pass, it wouid ultimately reduce the c< lonists to a state of Russian serfdom." All the speakers se».-ined perfectly horrified at the idea of having "A cii;iiii;e in the scones Uial wft love, j '' A change from the old t<> the new." I think, Sir, that the Government if they wish to have the public esteem and confidence, should endeavour to let the people see the drafts of any Bill which they intend to bring before the Provincial Council. Formerly, drafts of Bills were sent to the Colonists' Society, and allowed to lay on the table, so that the members mi»-ht read and judge for themselves of the desirability of the measures, but on going to the Library a evening or two since, I found that there had been no drafts of the bills for the present Session received. It is unjust to the promoters of a Bill, to condemn it on ex parte statements, but Sir, the Government will find that unless they Hud some method of letting the public know the pui poses of the dijr'ercnt bills they introduce, there will always be some person or other, with antagonistic interest, who will lead a party in opposition to them, whereas, perhaps, many if they had read and studied the Bill, would have given it their support. Believe me to remain, Yours. Sec, Antt Nun and Snob.