A PUBLIC GRIEVANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1193, 6 February 1864, Page 5

A PUBLIC GRIEVANCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIK LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —Amongst the disagreeables to which travellers in this province are exposed there is one in especial of which I have to complain—ferries. It is not that in a spirit of penuriousness or of impecuniosity I am inclined to groan over the obolus rigorously insisted on by the flannel breeched Charons; but my immediate wail is upon the subject of the needless delay that takes place in the passage. Only the other day I had occasion to cross the Waitaki, and to consume two hours in the operation. Arriving at the Otago side of the ferry about midday, I scauned the waters that by the way were fussing along to the sea with an awful story from the snowy ranges. I could see no " boat," a boat to take me over to sample sherry at an accommoda-tion-house visible in the distance. The signal post, however, was not far off, and this, situated on an island, I reached with only the inconvenience of wading up to my waist in the water. After waiting an incalculable time in a pleasant state of saturation, I observed a punt dodging along the banks, and three or four men in blanket clothing splashing in the water and attached with ropes to the boat like so many life-buoys. The boat and the men came sidling up to the island half an hour after they were first in sight, and seemed in no wise disconcerted wliun a small man with a large bundle, consisting apparently of a shiny black Sunday suit, who too had reached the island, reproached them violently with their tardiness and their river and their boat. We were in the course of stepping on board, but were stopped summarily by the Triton-in-Chief ordering us in nautical language to "Avast there." It appeared that there was any quantity of cargo to be put on board before Ave could be stowed away; so there was nothing for it but to lie down on the grass and enjoy the delightful density of clouds of dust thrown out from the bags of lime as they were being carried to the boat. Tims we waited an hour, to my great annoyance, and to the utter fury of the small man, who dashed his bundle about in—considering the quality of the cloth—a sadly reckless way. Our river deities at length condescended to leave off dropping infinitesimal bits of cargo into the puut, and we had the satisfaction of making the other side along with the bags of lime. As I mentioned before, the whole process occupied two hours, and the small man and his bundle and I were accordingly detained one hour and a half longer than necessary. And the Waitaki is not the only ferry objectionable on this score. I may say that all the ferries between Christchurch and the Otago boundary are managed in a dolce far niente style, that would be very creditable in Neapolitan lazzaroni. Might I suggest through your columns that the schoolmaster be speedily sent amongst the ferries? I am. sir, Your obedient servant, TRAVELLER. Jan. 29, 1864.