Correspondence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 395, 20 August 1856, Page 3

Correspondence.

To ihe Editor of the •♦ Lylteiton Times:' Siu, —Can you inform uie'whether the ollice of Provincial Engineer has been abolished, or, if nor, what that important functionary occupies his liaie with ? Having occasion to go to Kaiapoi last week, I found that what was facetious'}- styled a' Great IS'onh lloacl' might much moiv accurately be defied 353 series of bog-holes and quagmires, rendered still worse than uauise ever meant to make them by u>eoperations of our Government Oflfcials. Though mounted on a good nag; accustomed to rou^i ground, I found it nearly, impossible to £"tt id:n through the artificial slough near Ron's hou.-e, am:, at the end of my journey, found him more knocked up than he had "ever been with a day's cattle driving, besides getting such a twist to my ankle as to confine me to the house for four days. I believe the provincial Council voted £500 lor the repairs on

this identical road. If our money is to be swamped in this manner, I think it would be much belter to put an extinguisher on engineering establishments altogether, and leave the dray-drivers to carry a hatcher and spade to cut themselves out of their difficulties. I am told that the bridle-path also contains a number of man and horse traps, without any notice being stuck up as a warning, which I am told is illegal, I know nothing of the Sumner Road, on whicii I have never yet ventured, but, they say, ■" that's the way the money goes." lam very sure the public won't go on it, even to look for the Provincial Engineer; and I hope if we are to have his services, they may be made available where they are mrst needed, and not on a* road which may be used by our great-grand-children, but which very few of the present generation will ever attempt. I am your obedient servant, Old Cruiskeen.

To the Editor of the ■"" Lyttelton Times" Sir, —The daily kiss of the faithful has worn away the toe' of the bronze statue of St. Peter at Home. In the same way, weekly importunity may at last touch the hearts, however flinty, of Road Surveyors. We have no bishops nor railroad directors to sacrifice to the safety of the multitude. Would not one of our Government Officials, Newspaper Editors, or Provincial Councillors be publicspirited enough to copy the example of Marcus Curtius of ancient Rome, and take a flying leap, horse and all, into one of the numerous chasms yawnh'g so invitingly to receive the victims of the bridle path. According to the oracle, the sacrifice of Rome's most precious treasure could alone save it. Who among: us will be a Marcus Curtius ? I remain, sir, your obedient servant, Moss Trooper.