CORRESPONDENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 75, 12 June 1852, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sib.—l regret to find from the report of the Church Building Committee, advertised in your last journal, that they are compelled to request the assistance of their fellow colonists to meet their engagements, which will become due on the completion of the building, and that the sum required is upwards of £300. It may seem a superlative task now to comment on the Committee's proceedings; but I cannot refrain from noticing the large sum that has '■ been spent upon " excavating site, and building|basenient walls," (upwards of £120), by which the actual cost of the ground on which the Church stands, is raised to £150 for a Half-acre Section. The blame for selecting so unfavourable a site, demanding such a large outlay to render it suitable for building on, no doubt rests "with the Surveyor-in-Chief, who planned the town, and apportioned the reserves for public purposes ; but the Committee should have paused ere building a church upon so unsuitable and precipitous a spot. My chief object, however, in writing, is to obviate, by calling attention to, any similar mistake in future, as there are other reserves for public buildings which may be equally ineligible as that on-which the church is buildiug. ■ I am, Sir, : ' Your obedient Servant, LytteltoniensJs. Lytt elton, 9tli Jove.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sik, —Nothing has tended more to promote the improvement of Agriculture in England than the encouragement and stimulus gn en to it by Agricultural Societies. If these have caused such great improvement there, of how much greater benefit would they be to a country like ours, where so much is required id""~!w—learnt by those who have just commenced .'their Agricultural career, and who require some encouragement to stimulate their energies. Husbandmen are the channels of God's bounty to mankind, upon their efforts depend our ' comfort and prosperity, and he who tills but anacre of ground, does more real good than he - who makes a thousand fine speeches. Now if", we can raise, as we have done lately, sixty - pounds for our pleasure, surely we can double that amount for our profit. It would undoubtedly prove a great benefit to all, even though .a/-— 1 small sum is" raised, as with judicious management much might be effected, and if at once commenced, its benefits would be acknowledged, and its continuance ensured. To be really useful the Society should embrace all classes from the greatest cultivator, down to the occupier of one acre. If proper encouragement and inducement are held out, I think we shall . retain the labour of those who may be disposed to leave the colony ; I therefore submit thejidea • of an Agricultural Society being at once formed, and I hope the movement, may scon be staited by the leading men of the Settieincul. I remain, Yotir's iScc, • ■ ■ AGu ll oi/A ? •*-"" "** June 9th, 1852.