THE TOWN BELT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1128, 2 September 1863, Page 3

THE TOWN BELT.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIK LYTTEI/TON TIMES. Sir, —Will you kindly afford me space in your valuable journal for a few lines on the subject of planting the Town Belt. As one largely interested in the matter, I must say, I perfectly agree with the plan proposed by the Town Council, and none of the objections I have yet seen urged against it seem, to my mind, to carry sufficient weight with them, to warrant any alterations from the plan as proposed by them. One of the chief objections made is, that it interferes with private interests, and takes away the frontage from parties having land on the Town Belt. It might be urged with an equal show of reason, that the formation of the foot-paths in Christchurch took away the frontage from the shops : in the latter case, a party requiring a gateway has only to apply to the Town Surveyor, and the curb-stones (and posts if any) are removed, and an entrance is at once gained. This, as far as I can understand, would be exactly the case on the Town Belt: upon the application of any party requiring a cartway, the Surveyor would remove the rails, and there would then be room between the permanent trees (which are to be planted at least 12 feet apart) for any carriage or cart to pass. All parties seem to agree in wanting an avenue of trees to form a Promenade and shelter from the sun. Surely it would be more pleasant to have it near the footpath than in jthe middle of the Belt, were you would have to cross the street to get at it, which, in the case of ladies and children, would be most objectionable. The " Press", of course, could not be expected to agree to any plan that its talented "Editor" had not something to do with in forming ; but, I must say, I expected more consistency from your Paper, which, if my memory serves me rightly, applauded the plan, (and that in no measured terms) when adopted by the Council, but now turns [round and takes quite a different view of the matter. Apologizing for occupying so much of your space I remain Yours &c., AN OWNER OF 12£ CHAINS FRONTAGE ON THE BELT. Christchurch, Aug. 31, 1863.