The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1863.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1129, 5 September 1863, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1863.

On Tuesday evening the Council took into consideration the Report of the jlarbor Commission, and accepted with a slight modification the resolutions introduced by the Government. It is therefore determined that the whole question, with all the evidence collected, should be referred to England for the opinion of experienced Harbor Engineers. For many reasons such a course is advisable, before undertaking a very costly work, about which there are different opinions among professional men. And we are glad that the Government were firm in their determination to resist a conclusive vote on the subject during the present session. Delay is no doubt very inconvenient; but delay is better than the possibility of a serious mistake in so vital a matter. In engineering questions we are always guided by the weight of professional evidence; the only safe guide for persons who cannot claim professional experience or knowledge. We gave our cordial support to the line of railway adopted between Lyttelton and Christchurch, because it was determined with the advice and consent of the whole engineering talent available. In the present case we desire further advice before coming to a decision, because there is a decided difference of opinion between the professional men on the spot. The two professional engineers who have given their attention to the subject are both well known in' the province for their ability and industry, and they had both earned a high character in their profession before they left the old country. Both of these gentlemen agreed oil the question of the railway, and they [■worked together to the great advantage of the public. They now differ, and we do not pretend to say absolutely which is right and which is wrong. But we must say this, that we regret that some persons who agreed with Mr. Bray on the railway question and who disagree with him now, pretend to underrate his„ ability and professional experience. This will not do. Mr. Bray's professional character stands too high among competent judges to be affected by any attempt to pooh-pooh his opinion. And such an attempt on the part of any supporters of the straight jetty, will tend to make the public suspicious and watchful. While the Commissioners propose a specific plan, they at the same time recommend themselves that the whole matter with all the evidence should be referred to Harbor Engineers in England. Under the circumstances, the Government were certainly right in following this recommendation of a Commission specially appointed to enquire into the whole question, and with the evidence before it the Council had no other course but to adopt the resolutions of the Government. Mr. Buckley made a strong effort to throw out the resolutions, chiefly on the ground that the Commissioners had not obtained all the evidence available. The reply to Mr. Buckley is conclusive, so far as he is concerned. w hose fault was it if evidence, known by Mr. Buckley to be forthcoming, was not made available ? Why did he desert bis post on the Commission ? We have heard no valid excuse for his conduct. The object of a Commission is, that all the members need not necessarily lean in one direction, and the obvious duty of any one or more persons, who may c&nceive themselves to be in a minority, is to watch proceedings carefully, and to insist on all evidence being taken which they may Conceive necessary. Mr. Buckley has not stated, — and looking to the character of the Commission, we should hardly think he would itate, —that he was thwarted in an attempt to have witnesses examined or evidence taken down. If be had remained on the Commission and attended its sitting*, he inight either have procured the publication of further evidence favorable to his views, or else, if such evidence had been refused, he might have been in a position to protest with effect against the proceedings of the Commissioners. What did Mr. Buckley do P Did he ever lay his objections or plans before his fellow-Commissioners ? On the contrary. When he found that he was likely to be in a minority, he acted like a uilky ichool-boy, whose plans for a holiday ■ objected to by his. companions; he left 1 the Commi/wion to go Its own way, and then 1 turned round when the report was sent in; r"io< carp; fttaod object to the whole. The | Council rightly conceived that he had for-

feited any right to impugn the report. Whatever opinions may be held as to its merits, Mr. Buckley is not in a position to assail it effectively. It is only fair to tell him that, rightly or wrongly, his conduct has aroused suspicions which have not advanced his cause. We are the more annoyed at the neglect of duty on the part of one of the Commissioners, because, it appears to us, that other evidence* besides that published, might have. been obtained. We hoj>e—indeed we are sure—. that any evidence in favor of or against the conclusion of the Commissioners will be transmitted to Engl and, with their report. The Government can have but one object or interest in the matter, and that must be to obtain the best opinion founded upon the best evidence, before they commence an undertaking so important and so expensive.