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Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 492, 22 July 1857, Page 4

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. The ghost of the Alma presents its compliments to the Editor of the " Lyttelton Times," and would feel obliged if he would find room for the following remarks relative to this important subject:— I (the ghost) at once admit the necessity of having local steamers, and that the Provincial Government is doing a wise and proper thing in offering to Messrs. Miles, Kington & Co., or any other respectable house, a yearly bonus, or subsidy, to assist in keeping two steamers in the coasting trade of the settlement; but I cannot see what the settlers have to do with insuring the said steamers. The Canterbury public will remember that, while I was in the body, I was fed with no subsidy to assist in working me, and, had I only lived a single year in your province, I would have cleared myself; but the unfortunate Sumner Bar, I am sorry to say, settled me, and made me what I am. lam not anxious to have any neighbour; if I had, I should indeed be sorry to think it was at the expense of the settlers of Canterbury. Let Messrs. Miles, Kington & Co., (or any other house that undertakes the introduction of local steamers), insure their property in England; but I advise the farmers and settlers generally.' to [beware of this heavy responsibility. My sad fate may also be the fate of many others, and I have thought it my duty thus to lift up my hollow voice ; and I say again, " heware of underwriting" for the risk that steamers run in our river trade is enormous, and the rate of premium offered you, trifling. The Sumner Bar, 17th July, 1857. P.S. The worthy Provincial Secretary places the matter before the public (see yesterday's

" Standard ") in a pleasing form : Gri' ov< i ;s of £700, the sum to be collected on a «-,"■ )fl would be £7. But I put it in this form\ 4 <■ Jv ci ° the loss, two vessels, how much would th' %v P main of the £50 ? yy