COMMUNICATION BY TUNNEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 625, 3 November 1858, Page 4

COMMUNICATION BY TUNNEL.

7b the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir,—lmprovement in the communication between the port of this province and its interior is now the most important topic of public discussion. Though some correspondents of the press appear to look with jealousy on the outlay of any large sum on a work which to their narrow view appears too local, I cannot but feel that mature reflection would dispel so unfounded an objection. The high roads of every country

may justly be called its arteries, and they raust be useless unless issuing from the heart. The winter we have just waded through has painfully proved the inadequacy of our existing means of transit, and if the province is to progress, we must improve our roads and seek some more certain means of communication with the heart of commerce—the sea. If the following plan appears worth a place in your journal, I shall feel obliged b\ r its publication. I would propose the formation of a railroad from Lyttelton, with a jetty or sea-wall, and through a tunnel in the hill to Cliristcburch. Taking the sum of £200,000 (as said to be that required) for the outlay necessary to complete the work, the question that first arises is—where are we to get this sum from ? Now sir, I find that English capitalists at our antipodes are obtaining only 2^ per cent there for their money, and if the" Government of this province can satisfy them that it can and will guarantee them 5 per cent for it here, 1 believe they would send it out to Canterbury; and if so, I think I can show that this country can safely undertake the burden without crippling other equally es-

sential public works. I estimate that the tonnage between the port and the interior both, ways would, by the time the railroad could be completed (a period say of three years) in all probability amount to 30,000 tons in the year. This at the rate of £1- per ton gives a gross income of £30,000. On these data I propose the formation of a company- to find a capital of £300,000, on which sum the Provincial Government should guarantee 5 per cent, interest for a term of 50 years, and the company agreeing to pay 3 per cent, to be invested as a sinking fund for the redemption of the capital. In this manner the 3 per cent." invested annually by the Government at 8 per cent, would in about 33 years produce therequired amount. The scheme, in fact, is that the colony would have to pay 5 per cent, on; the capital sunk until the road was ready for use; as soon as it should be open for traffic the company to pay 3 per cent, on the capital for sinking fund to be invested at compound interest by the Government out of the income of the road; and the shareholders to have a guarantee of 5 per cent, on this capital stock, and any profits accruing after paying the 3 per cent. Thus, say the capital stock is £300.000, 5 per cent on this is £15,000, sinking fund at 3 per cent £9000. Now, if I am not over estimating the interest, the company would have £30,000 yearly to pay for working expenses, and the £9000. which I think they ought to be able to do, and have some surplus too; for I have not calculated anything on the returns from passenger traffic, or for the increasing productiveness of the goods traffic; by this plan of insisting on a sinking fund, the guarantee of 5 per cent, would in a fixed period be needless; for the company would have actually redeemed it, and the colony be thereby released from all expense, or become if it chose the owner of the railroad. But you may perceive, sir, the plan offers various modifications for applying the' sinking fund; such, for instance, us extension of the line to other parts of the country, or an annual redemption by the com puny of the guarantee. I am, sir, your obedient ser%'ant, | . QUID PRO QUO.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times.

Sic, —A recent number of the ' Wellington Independent' has been scut to me much to my surprise, as I do not recollect that any friend or acquaintance ever sent me one before, and 1 do not subscribe to the paper.

It appears that the same copy of this paper has been sent to a very large number of Canterbury settlers, greatly to their astonishment. By whom they have been sent does not seem clear. The contents give no information on any subject of general interest, but chiefly refer to an action for libel about to be tried in this province against the proprietors of that newspaper, and to other recent proceedings in the Supreme Court and before the bench of magistrates at Wellington.

I cannot but feel an inward conviction that a dishonest motive prompts the person who thus transmits on one solitary occasion a copy of a paper full of local squabbles, which he strives in vain to conceal under the apparent compliment of presenting a newspaper gratuitously. To prejudice the minds of myself and any other recipient of the paper who may possibly be a juror at the approaching trials seems to me to be_ the dishonest motive of the sender. To pervert justice'ami corrupt jurors by the exercise of underhand influence, and to warp public opinion by cx-parte statements, is an attempt

which I do trust will never bo tolerated in this province. 1 hope that notice will be taken by the press of Canterbury of a proceeding so unfair, so dishonest, so revolting to every English idea of truth, loyalty and fair play. I am, sir, yours, ABOVE-BO AED. Lyttelton, Oct. 23, 1858. To the Editor of the Lyttelton Tunes. Sm,—lt was with very great pleasure that I listened to the financial statement made by the Provincial Secretary on Thursday evening. As one of the original'pilgrims I rejoiced to think that the dreams of success and earthly prosperity once indulged in were at length in a great degree realized as regarded the settlement at least, if not to each and all of that venerable band, who now for nearly eight long years (how long!) have been toiling with mat\y blessings, but not a few bitter disappointments. The glorious prospects too for the future held out in the promised railway, and, above all, the tunnel through " the hill," helped to keep up the exultation in my heart at the time. But on walking quietly home I was conscience stricken that he who was speaking for me in that assembly of our representatives had been guilty of one great, one fatal omission—there was no " Deo gratias," no " Cantate Domino," no " Non nobis Domine."

Sir, he who made the omission will be the readiest to confess and lament it. I write not to blame—l have no right—but to make a serious proposition, if you will allow me, to my tellowcolonists. Will" they unite with me in asking the Provincial Council, as our representatives, acting for us, to vote first of all out of that large sura now awaiting their disposal, a solemn sacrifice and thanksgiving to the Almighty for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us? And further, I will venture to point out that'in no way could they make such dedication more appropriately, more usefully, than by voting an adequate sum, say £10,000 at the least, to be expended in building places of worship, and to be tributed among the different religious bodies, upon the principle that lias so well satisfied the colonists as regards the education grant—l mean that of the census returns. From what I know of our Executive Government individually, I am sure the will would not be wanting thus to recognise the hand who has gotten for us all this wealth. Their great scheme the Tunnel depends for its execution upon the continuance of this prosperity for another seven years. Let us, the people, urge them to secure it, as alone they can do, by some such act as that I have pointed out. If you will allow me, I will in your next publication give other reasons which appear to me to mark the particular proposition I now urge not only as righteous, but just, and, at this time, especially needed. I am sir, Yours faithfully, - £$ A PILGRIM. Chri||church, Oct. 29, 1858. To %c Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir,—Previous to ray leaving this port I must acknowledge the advantages which the establishment of a foundry in the province has given hie in executing certain repairs to the Matador. Having unfortunately broken the pintles of my rudder, I should have been compelled, to go to sea with iron substitutes had I not been recommended to try Anderson's foundry in Christchurch, to ascertain whether brass castings of this description could be done. lam happy to state that Mr. Anderson succeeded in producing two castings equal to any which could be obtained in England. Should any vessels unfortunately meet with the same casualty any where near this coast, it will be of great importance to them to be aware that their necessities can be provided without running to a more distant port. Yours, &c, SAMUEL LINDSAY, Master of the barque Matador. To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sm, —I notice in the ' Standard' a letter from 'an old Papanui contractor,' complaining that he cannot get the good things on the roads-that he used to get. If anything was wanting to show the necessity for perfectly open competition and complete publicity, such information as that given by the correspondent of the 'Standard' would furnish it. So the old contractors don't like the competition of new hands, and have consequently taken to making bricks! Well, the public like the competition very well', and as they' want bricks, they have every reason to be satisfied. Yours obediently, COMPETITION.

Lyttelton, Oct. 28, 1858,