The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, January 4, 1860.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 747, 4 January 1860, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. Wednesday, January 4, 1860.

It is not, perhaps an altogether unfounded accusation brought against residents in a colony, that they are addicted to talking too much of what they have done and of what they are going to do; too much, that is, to be pleasing to others' ears. But the tendency is in reality natural, and, to some extent at least, praiseworthy ; for it is the effect of the state of things in which inhabitants of a young country live—of rapid progress, constant change, regular advancement and development. It is in some degree praiseworthy; for the great work which men find before them in reclaiming the wilderness and making it fit for the use of their fellows often requires the double stimulus of pride in the past and. hope in the future. At the commencement of a new year, at any rate, we may be pardoned for indulging in a little self-glorifying retrospect, and expressing a confidence in our prospects for the time coming. "We may turn aside the wrath of judicious critics, by taking the opportunity to confess our failings and deplore our weaknesses at the same time. . The year 1859 will be a marked one in our annals for many reasons. In it more has been suffered and'more gained by the Province of Canterbury than during any similar periodof our history. The actual colonization of the wilderness, by the introduction of people into it and the formation of roads throughout it, has advanced in an unprecedented degree. At the same time those engaged in the process have sustained their first serious check :■ they have met with their

first important trial. Fortunately, the troubles of the year have not eventuated in tiny disaster; they have been merely warnings against overweening confidence. ' They have tried the strength of the vessel and proved that it is not slight j and while we are sternly reminded that we are not free from the perils and mischances which belong to the rest of the world, we have the satisfaction of being assured that there is strength to withstand and overcome them.

The commercial depression of the past year has -had no more effect than to sober the somewhat extravagant expectations previously indulged in, publicly and privately. It has warned us that reckless speculations, based, upon an unlimited expectation of the future, are not the kind of enterprise to ensure success; but it has satisfied all that the future may to a certain extent be confidently relied on; During1 the time of severest trial, matters never reached what is termed a crisis; there was no series of bankruptcies, no stocks-in-trade sold at a sacrifice, not even an instance of insolvency, except in one or two cases, which might have occurred at any time.

; The confidence still entertained in the future, though sobered by experience, has been remarkably exhibited in the general adoption by the province of the railway undertaking between the port, arid plainsman enterprise, the adoption of which will ever signalise the session of 1859. An undertaking' of this magnitude — whose success must greatly enhance the prosperity of the province, but; .whose failure through, financial embarrassment would prove disastrous—has not been entered upon without a full confidence that the future can bear the burdens laid upon it. But as it lies in the power of those who have sanctioned the undertaking to assist in a great degree towards carrying" it out, the subject becomes one worth fixing attention upon at the commencement of a new year. ' ■ .

The province has adopted on its. own part; a plan for constructing a tunnel. and railway between Christchurch and Ly ttelton, at an expense of, say, £250,000. There is no reason to suppose, that the other parties directly to the bargain will find cause to back out of their contract. We have, however, to look to the General Government, for its sanction to our inciirring the expense. Much has been done to secure this sanction, and, unless questions of which we do not yet dream arise, it may be taken for granted. It is probable, therefore, that the desire of;the inhabitants as to-the railway will be accomplished; the tunnel will be commenced. ■

This being the case, we are .certain,that even those who hai/e opposed the railway as a policy will see the necessity of doing* all in their power to secure its Success as an actual work; while all will, if necessary, use selfdenial, and submit to small sacrifices rather than prejudice the safety of an undertaking in which the prosperity 'of the province is involved. Every one will find it in his power By;his own; condiiQfc, morW'or.less .to influence the* project for good or evil; it will be a fitting" New Year's resolution, therefore, to resolve to pull, together with a will, that any obstacles which may arise shall by our united endeavours be overcome.