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Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 744, 24 December 1859, Page 4

Correspondence.

To the JZditor of the Lytielton Times,

Sin,—As a public subject, will you allow me, through the medium of your valuable columns, to ask what I consider a few reasonable questions, and not only those which affect 200 of the inhabitants of our town, but also higher functionaries. First, I may say, as large a petition as is often to be raised, and I am quite sure asinfiuentially signed.was some, time past handed to his Honor the Superintendent, praying him to let the prison labour be next placed on that break-neck, long neglected, and disgraceful street, called Oxford street, the first and main road to the Government jetty! In reply to which I. T. Cookson, Esq. (being the first signature of our four members of Council, and the remaining merchants, &c.) received a polite and satisfactory answer from his Honor, through the Provincial Secretary, as was anticipated, which letter was passed round for others to see. This official letter, rather long I remember in its dimensions, stated that as soon as a little urgent work was done in Canterbury street, Oxford street should be next completed, and that the plans should be prepared for the same meanwhile or the levels taken ready. Now, sir, I would ask, who is master, or what is the cause of this: ,that at the present time, they are still digging away at the top end of Canterbury street, where there is but one house in the street above the work, and no prospect of any other building; yet on the other hand fully 200 or more pass over it daily, houses are springing up on it almost by magic, others I know,and many of them, are only waiting to know what height or level to build their houses, in order that they may not have to take them down again ? And this is not all nor half the obstacles I could enumerate, if it was not encroaching too much on your space. I will just say that.besidbs this, quite a village is being formed above it, and the greater portion of the number of houses lately built in St. David's street, the supplies of timber and bricks have been dearly paid for by passing up that horrid cutting, which was solely dope by private enterprise. Who's pet scheme is this; at the expense.of so many, with their horse and cart in the bargain, that will be so much needed this side ? Perhaps our very valuable Surveyor might enlighten us on the subject a little; or his jolly Ganger, who seems not at all moved by petitions, or by orders from head quarters any one might suppose from our reply. However I do not believe, nor many others, that it is the fault of our Superintendent, after his promise. Trusting this may bring out some just cause why this important work should be so neglected, j I beg, Sir, to remain yours obliged, ANTI-HUMBUG. \