The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 86, 28 August 1852, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

August 28, ] 852.

The question of a Road to the Plains is again attracting the notice of the community. Along spell of stormy and unseasonable weather has for weeks past put a complete stop to communications between the Port and Christchurch. Apprehensions have been entertained that the latter place would be without one of the prime necessaries of life, and as a necessary consequence, the inhabitants have had their undivided attention called to a question which so materially affects their interests. At Lyttelton, the grumbling has not been less hearty: the Merchants have enjoyed the questionable pleasure of seeing their craft laden with goods lying for weeks weather bound, great expense incurred in paying the crews, and profits vanishing in dim obscurity. Thus, two great Anglo Saxon instincts have been outraged—the fear of starvation on the Plains, and no returns or profits in the Port. Good, hearty, unmistakable, English growling has'consequently ensued. In the midst of these events an incident has occurred which has thoroughly excited the public pulse. A few days ago an empty dray, drawn by two horses, was successfully brought over the bridle path, and another has with a like success followed. Had it not been for the Gold Diggings, and the demand for drays existing at Melbourne, the trial would never, probably, fcr some time at least, have been made: but it has been made, it has succeeded, and the very natural enquiry follows—if an empty dray can be brought over the hills, why not laden ones ? [ especially if measures be adopted to render the road more practicable and easy of ascent. With these impressions the public are demanding whether some steps ought not at once to be taken to ascertain whether the bridle road can be rendered traversable by loaded vehicles, and whether it can be effected at a moderate outlay of money and time. We are in no position ourselves to offer an opinion on the subject, but a correspondent who has devoted considerable attention to the question, writes "it will be fouud that the steepest parts of the path are at the bottom on this side and at the top, ihe intermediate part presenting no such formidable gradient but that two horses could pull up a moderate load. The first difficulty could be met by making a fresh cut to rise in two slopes; the top of the hill could be made into a cutting of 1U to 15

feet deep, and one more turn given to the road to ease it. On the other side of the hill there are one or two points which would require another turn to make them practicable, and the road throughout would require widening about three feet." We are glad to find that the subject is engaging the attention of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society, and are given to understand that it will also be mooted at the next meeting of the Sister Society at Christchurch. Although the Committee at Lyttelton has been appointed with more especial reference to Mr. Roy's report on the Sumner road, yet we have no doubt but that the question in all its bearings will be thoroughly sifted to ascertain the easiest and cheapest mode of communication ; and if the bridle road can be made at a moderate expense and with little delay available, we entertain no doubt that all minor differences will be merged to effect that object, and that the great question of the main road will be discussed with that sober practical interest which so eminently characterises Englishmen when they devote their faculties to great and important ends.