PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ROAD QUESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 424, 26 November 1856, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ROAD QUESTION.

We publish to-da)', at as much length as possible, the opinions on the question of communication between the Port and the Plains with which a large number of correspondents have fm oured us, in answer to our invitation. We must plead the limitation which we expressly put to these communications as our excuse for having cut clown the prologue and the peroration of many, leaving merely the pith of their contents. We only regret that the settlement of the question for the present by the Provincial Council has deprived our budget of some of its interest and much its utility: — I am of opinion "the Government is not justified in proceeding with the Sumner Road, considering the means at their disposal; and I think also it is equally unwise to propose a fresh survey, at a further outlay, for the purpose of forming a temporary road, when the present Bridle Path can be made available with the sum voted on Tuesday week.—A Votkk at tub xext Election. The Stunner Road must be done some day ; but, for the present, improve the Bridle Path, and we shall all be satisfied; — Shout and Sweet. Let, the Bridle Path be made, as a concession to the public: innko the Suinni r Iload, as an act of justice: mnke both. It will be cheapest, best and wisest. Money must be spent Cast your bread upon the waters. Two roads are better than one. Nil desperanduin. —J.G.F.

Set a " Stoot heart to a stae brae," climb the hill, and send your baggage by steam. — Scoxirs. Construct a tramway on the face of the hill, such as is used at stone quarries. Send down the top of your hill to form a breakwater or pier in the harbour ; and let its weight drag goods up each side.—Mercurius. Advertise in the New Zealand, Australian, and English newspapers for a Contractor, who will import labour and underfake to complete a road or tramway from Chris-tchurch to Lyttelton, in a given time. Payment to be made by a grant of land. — Enqtxib.ee. Keep the Sumner Road in repair till such /time as you are rich enough to complete it. Widen the Bridle Path to 8 or 10 ft., and make it passable for light carriage. Put on two good steamers, and your^.problem is solved. —Solution". I think that, as regards the Sumner Road, the opinions of those professional gentlemen ought to be treated with confidence and respect; but that the Bridle Path should be improved from time to time, as we can afford to do so ; until we can have a more suitable road. I have worked bullocks over the Bridle Path with a sledge ; I have also taken over a cart and'plough ; and I feel assured that with a suitable cart, with strong props behind, 6 to 8 cwt. may be taken^over with a bullock.—A Working Max. I commend the perseverance of our Executive in their endeavour to carry out what we all know to be the only line for a good road, but we hope they will yield to want of means, and " bide their time." — Patience. I beg to state that my decided opinion is, that the Bridle Path should be made as a temporary road into the port, if a hole cannot be made through the hill; should prefer a hole, but would like to get over the difficulty anyhow.—W. A. I thought one Bridle Path was a bug bear, why then make two ? and waste mone" in raising Evans' Pass to such unenviablnotoriety. Let water take precedence oe la id, and give us two good steamers for^ for conveyance of produce. Aod surely no Canterbury Colonist will grumble at having to follow the old track over the hill for another year or two.—Pilgrim. My opinion is in favour of a {t screwsteamer " to ply between the port and Christchurch Quay, as being the most available and the nearest approach to our limited means. I would suggest that about £200 be spent in cutting away the flax in. some parts of the river wherj it overhangs, and so widen it, together with some other little improvements that the Provincial Engineer might think necessary. —H. C. C. You wish for my opinion on the easiest mode of transit from the port to the plains. Try early rising and activity of body for surmounting 1 100 ft. of Bridle Path. Perseverance and a strong will, above ail, stern necessity, will in time discover the Golden Pass key to the Sumner Road.— Wide Awake. I would refer you for my opinion to the 2nd resolution passed at the meeting at Lyttelton, on Saturday last; and I will add moreover, that since my first arrival in tin's c )lony it has always been my opinion that had one half of the money been expended on the Bridie Path, instead of the Simmer Road, we should not now be crying out for a road.—H. J. P. "