The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 508, 16 September 1857, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, Sejitemher 16. By the advertisement which appeared again in the " Standard " on Thursday, it seems that the determination of the College to let a portion of Cathedral Square on building leases is still adhered to.

It may be very true that the portion of land now proposed to be let by the College is of so small an extent as not to be of serious injury to the town. There is nothing, however, to prevent the College from doing again what has been done once. Indeed it would be the duty of the authorities for the time being 'to make the most of the property confided to their care; and we have no guarantee that every inch of the largest square in Christchureh will not be blocked up by buildings crowded in whatever manner may produce the largest possible annual rent roll.

There can be no doubt that such an appropriation of the Square, marked upon the maps of the town in the Land Office as a Public Square, is not at all in accordance with the plan submitted to purchasers of town land r and it. appears rather singular that such a public square should have been conve3 7ed away to a private corporation which may have different interests from the public at large.

The inhabitants of an old country are always sitrhing for room and air, which are cheap luxuries in a newly-settled colony. We can afford to ornament and improve our towns,by leaving a great deal of open ground in different places, to give future inhabitants of crowded thoroughfares a chance of enjoying existence. The difference between English and foreign tpwns strikes every observer. Notwithstanding their filth and narrow streets the latter are often much more'habitable than English towns of the same size. No,one who has ever enjoyed it will be likely to forget the sense of freedom and comfort inspired by the large open promenades and the broad boulevards of continental towns. On the other hand, interminable *rows£of stieets opening nowhere on free spaces where light and air are plentiful, are too often the characteristics of English cities. It is no wonder that few Englishmen will live in a town who can avoid it.

At the present time, we are po satisfied in. observing '.he progress of building and the gradual filling up of the towns that we are apt to forget that the time will come when the .inhabitants would be glad to see more open space and fewer houses. We have heard before this many.an expression of satisfaction at the foresight, of those who laid out the town of Chrislchurch. It will be no satisfaction to its inhabitants to be told, when a public square is encroached upon, that there are open spaces by the river side and a belt round the town two chains wide. A man whose cout has been taken away must not be expected to be very thankful because his waistcoat is left to him. It would certainly appear to be equity, if not law, that the plan on the faith of which the town sections were pmchased should only be altered by Act of Provincial Council.

The land in question, however, has been conveyed absolutely to the College, and the College paid for it. Under these circumstances it would see*in to be the wisest and fairest course that the Provincial Council on the part of the public, and the Church and College authorities on the part of tlfeir respective trusts, should come to a compromise upon this matter. The College will perhaps revert to the offer made to the Provincial Council last session, and which was not even entertained. The circumstances, however, of this refusal on the part of the Council are pretty well known. Members who knew but lit tie of the matter thought it easier and safer to throw out an important measure than to enquire into it. Whether their constituents are satisfied with their conduct is another matter. If these gentlemen were the only persons punished for their rashness, they would suffer justly, whether the injury were permanent or whether they were plunged into lawsuits to get rid of it. But, unfortunately, it is the public who suffer ; and the public, when it has an opportunity of raising its voice, will; probably express some opinion upon the subject.

Would it not be wise in the College, for the sake both of the public interests and their own, to take no further steps in the matter until after the next, meeting- of the Provincial Council? The proposals made by the Government and agreed to by them have, it is true, been rejected by the Council .without consideration.. We cannot but

think, however, that a puUic body like the College, whose interests in this small community are so closely identified with those of the "public at. large, ought to waive what they may consider their immediate rights, if they see any prospect of receiving their due without detriment to the public, and without perhaps involving themselves in lawsuits and bitter discussions as to the right and wrong of their proceedings. A new Council will see differently from the last. Waste lands are our wealth ; free air and breathing space our greatest luxuries. Can we not secure the latter by a judicious use of the former, and give . the College an equivalent for the properly which they have acquired by purchase, their tenure of which, however, is likely to be detrimental to the interests of the public?