To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 512, 30 September 1857, Page 4

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times.

Sir, —Although my position is somewhat elevated, I am not so high-minded but that I now and then look down upon the world below, and observe how things are going on. Sometimes my attention is drawn towards our noble plains, where with pleasure I observe homesteads springing up in all directions, swamps gradually turning into green pastures, roads — splendid wide roads — being opened and macadamised so that a coach and four could travel as easily as in the old country. Again I look down into your town where you ail seem as busy and as happy as bees in a hive; but in vain I look fop the same amount of progressive improvement. You know, Mr. Editor, it is usual for most strangers when they come into Port to pay me a visit, so as to get a peep at the surrounding country, and you would scarcely believe the unjust expressions sometimes made towards you as they sit around my base ; such as, what a d d hole, &c, &c. Now Mr. Editor, why is this? Why should people who come here, and would probably settle amongst us, be frightened by a mere glance at the place? Something must be wrong some-where; and I cannot but think that it is in the absence of any real and substantial advocacy for your local interests (I read your Paper regularly) in the Provincial Council Wow, what I would advise is this, that at the next general election you should elect such men as will pledge themselves to pay a little more attention to the interests of the Port than has hitherto been done; pledge themselves to advocate that some of the money now uselessly spent upon the Sumner Road shall be spent upon opening your streets, and what is of more consequence still, supplying the town wmi a sufficiency of good water; and I will guarantee that my visitors will not feel the dis^uft so often expressed when taking a bird's eye view from Mount Pleasant; for I contend that a prettier neater and more convenient town could not poso? At °Ut) eavi "Sits business qualifications out of the question altogether. I apprehend , member returned for a certain place to use his abilities for the benefit of that place W, y but the members as a body to legislate for the 2' ementm general. There, I am afraid, has been the error of your late representatives ; in paying much attention to the advancement of the whole Province they have over-looked the minor wants of the Port, without due attention to which all their be SLTss Th 6 f^ 11^ °f the «A I adage, Early impressions, &c, &c " | Again, I say, return no man who will not uro mise to devote some little attention to your local mterests, and I hope ere long to see yo^Streets

traversable from one part of the town to another instead of as now being overrun with horses cows calves, pit-falls, and every other abomination.' ' I remain, Mr. Editor, Your very obedient servant, Mount Pleasant, Sept. 21. 'FLAG-STAFF