CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 24 April 1852, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sia, —Your article in last week's paper, together with the memorial of 116 inhabitants of Lyttelton to the Governor-in-chief, have induced me to trouble you with a few remarks on the subject to which they relate. I cordially join in your disapproval of the manner m which the memorial has been got up. Although it is quite true that there was not time, during- the hurried visit of His Excellency, to obtain in a legitimate manner the opinion of the community, there has been plenty of time to do so since his departure. Nor, indeed, has the attempt been wanting, to obtain that opinion from at least an important portion of the community. I regret that you were unable to report at greater length the long and animated discussion on the subject which took place at the last meeting of the Land-Purchasers' Society. On that occasion, the Council proposed for adoption by the Society a resolution in favour of the application of the £5,000 to the Suinner-road. 1 bis resolution was supported at great length and with great eloquence, by several speakers' most of whom knew beforehand that the discussion was to take place, and were accordingly well prepared, Among these speakers were three members of the Council, including the President, two of whom at least are known for the influence which their opinions usually have over the deliberations of the Society. But'an amendment, in approval of the opinion given to Sir George Grey by the meeting of Magistrates and others, although put forth by less influential persons, who were unprepared for the discussion

because no notice of it had been given, was carried by a majority of 14 to 8. It is worthy of remark that the minority included several inhabitants of the plains, and persons deeply interested, if any person could be so, in the prosperity of the plains rather than that of the port: on the other hand the majority included some of the mercantile interest of Lyttelton, and the owners of some of the best town sections in it.

Surely, if any member of that minority conceived that neither the meeting of Magistrates and others, nor the meeting of the Society of Land-Purchasers, could claim to speak for the whole community, it would have been more satisfactory to submit the matter to public meetings at Lyttelton and Christchurch, than to collect signatures in Lyttelton to a memorial embodying the views of his own party. The memorialists tell Sir George Grey that " the decision of the meeting of magistrates and others can in no way be considered to represent the feelings of the settlers generally." No one will venture to dispute the fact. But the same statement applies with equal truth to the words of the memorial. In neither case were " the settlers generally" consulted at all. The only difference is, that the " magistrates and others" were asked for their opinion, and gave it exactly for what it was worth. The deliberate opinion of " the settlers generally" there are no means of obtaining, except by public discussion after due notice.

For it by no means follows, because the community in public meetings assembled was unanimous in approval of a totally different plan proposed by the Road Committee, that it should be equally unanimous in approval of a totally different plan proposed by Sir George Grey. You may consider that His Excellency offered more than he had been asked for; but others may think that he offered less. The other plan suggested means for the completion of a great and important work ; and it does not appear to me that the Governor went beyond this, in offering means for doing one-sixth of that work, without any provision for the rest. His Excellency's offer must surely he considered as widely departing from, rather than exceeding, the measure which be had been asked to support. It may indeed be perfectly consistent to approve in the strongest manner of the Road Committee's Report, and to dissent as strongly from the Governor's plan.

It is needless to argue here whether it would have been judicious or not to accept His Excellency's offer, even though allowed to be less than he was asked for. The other alternative has been determined on, and is already in progress. Neither memorials nor public meetings probably can prevent the expenditure of £2000 on three of the principal roads leading out of Christchurch. But if, nevertheless, it be thought desirable to obtain in a legitimate manner the opinion of the settlers generally on the subject, let the memorials embodying that opinion emanate from public meetings, at which the question may be fairly discussed. There at least those who live in glass houses will not throw stones at their neighbours, and justice will not be mistaken for munificence.

Before I conclude, it appears worth while to point out that, even under the present arrangement, one-half of the money is to be spent on the Christchurch and Lyttelton Road. 1000 Z. was included in Mr. Roy's estimate as the cost of metalling that part of it which lies between Christchurch and Heathcote Ferry ; and I ber lieve that is one of the works already contracted for. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, E. Jerninghaji Wakefield.