CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 3390, 15 July 1876, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

• THE VICTORIA BRIDGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sib, —You know the old adage, " Prevention is better than cure." On passing over the Victoria Bridge this evening, it occurred to mc that the rail along that structure is rather low, and that a man, unfortunately, slightly inebriated, might fall over and possibly be drowned, or a restive horse might, with the greatest ease, jump over. Don't you think, to prevent such accidents happening, it would be much better if the fence were risen two or three feet higher, with spikes on the top, to prevent foolish boys from walking on the top of the fence. I merely give this as my opinion, and leave it in the hands of the Mayor and Town Council, and the public in general, to settle the question, as no doubt, I being a new chum, and tbey old residents, they have had more experience in matters corporate, and bridges in particular, than I have had. There is another Bmall matter I wish to speak about, id est, more light would be shown if another lamp were erected between the bridge and. Colombo street, in Market square. As this entry into Christchurch is one of the main arteries, too much light can scarcely be given on approaching one of the most important cities iv New Zealand. Trusting my remarks may be taken in the spirit in which they are meant. Yours, kc, J. H. B.

THE LATE RAILWAY STRIKE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—The letter of Mr Maskell on the railway strike in the I/yttclton Times issue, of last Tuesday, is calculated to excite distrust and alarm in the public mind, with reference to a question affecting his Honor the Superintendent of this province, who has hitherto floated on a full tide of popularity and public esteem. The effect of that letter is to charge his Honor the Superintendent with a distinct breach of faith, not only to his Executive, bat also to the public and to the railway employes under strike. It is too painful to ruppose that a gentleman, holding the high position which Mr Rolleston has held in the estimation of the people of Canterbury and of New Zealand generally, can be guilty of an act which would cast a shadow on a career hitherto unclouded, and cause a doubt of the purity of our public men, which at thia momentous crisis would be greatly to be deplored. It is to be hoped there is some mistake, and that when the public receive tbe cxp'anation which his Honor's honor is involved in affording, tbe cloud will be cleared away, and it will be ound that Mr Maskell has erred through xc.ss of zeal, on behalf of his late colleague e he Secretary of Public Works. It is almost that a public man, in his i Honor's j o:itiop, could be guilty of deliberate misrepresentation, as implied in the letter of this morning. Fortunately, the evidence that can bo given on the point is of the fullest description. His Honor himself, the whole of his Executive, and a perfectly independent witness, Mr Stead, who was cognizant of the whole matter, .vill be able to speak on the subject, and it is to be hoped that the result of their statements will reestablish his Honor's reputation beyond \ shadow of suspicion. I am, kc, W. H. Pilliet, M.P.C. Christchurch, July 12.