The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 665, 23 March 1859, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

J .... Wednesday,, March 23. We publish to-day the report of the Railway Commissioners appointed according to the resolutions, of the Provincial Council. A map of the province, on which are marked the several lines recommended, accompanies the report We understand that the following papers and plans will -be sent home with this document :— 1. Reports of the Provincial Engineer and Mr. Bray, on the,direct line, with plan and section of the line, and an enlarged plan o$ the Town of. Lyttelton, showing the proposed-station and wharfs. 2. Provincial Engineer's report on a wooden tramway to a wharf on the Heathcote^Jpw the Ferry, with plan. •8. Commissioners' report of 1854, with map on large scale of the Sumner road, showing the Sumner valley line with terminus at Gollari's bay> and a section showing the levels of that line. * The plans and maps, which are most elaborate, reflect great credit on the Public Works Department of the Province. Any one inspecting them will be satisfied that all "possible information is forwarded to London that could enable engineers at a distance to form an opinion on the subject. It will be seen that the Commissioners have come to no conclusion as to the best route from the Heathcdte to a shipping place in Port Lyttelton; but so far as we can gather, there is only one opinion as to the line for connecting the towns of Lyttelton

and Christchurcli.: The only difference of opinion is as to whether the terminus of the railway should be at Ljttel ton or at Gollan's bay. As this is not an engineering question so much as one of general policy, it is very prop rly omitted in the report. We cannot doubt the verdict of the public on this question. The engineering evidence against a line into Lyttelton by way of Sumner is conclusive; so that we must fall back of necessity on the direct line. The reservation from sale in the early days of the province of lines of railway over a country so naturally adapted for them will save much trouble and 'expense hereafter. A comparatively trifling outlay in tramways* now will be well repaid. We are glad to see a regular system of railways laid down while there is yet time to reserve them from the Waste Lands of the Crown.