OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 772, 14 November 1870, Page 2

OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US.

It has often been remarked that we must go from home to hear news of ourselves. The following letter, which we extract from the Maine Standard (United States) of March 11, is an exemplification of the remark. The writer Bigns himself <f F.8.P," and writes from North Vassalboro'. It is satisfactory to find that he thinks well of us. Perhaps it may be objected that he has drawn somewhat on his imagination, but if we have not " several hundred miles of railroad in operation," and many other good things mentioned, we ought to have : — The agricultural, pastoral and horticultural shows, which take place annually in the city of Ghristchurch are of great interest. The latter creates a desire and love for gardening, which is meeting with decided success, and a farmer there does not ieel at home if he has not a piece of ground in front of his house appropriately laid out and stocked with fruit trees and sweet scented flowers, which gives to the residence, no matter how humble, a look of taste and neatness. At the agricultural show may be seen some of the best of bloodea stock, which is imported from England at great risk and expense. There you may see the pure bred Suffolk and Clydesdale stallions' and mares, which are perfect specimens of ■ the draught horse, also the- thoroughbreds for flat racing and steeplephasing, which, by the way, are extensively indulged in.' ' > ''■■■ ; : ; Devous, Durhams, and Ayrshire cattle are plentifully met with. They never degenerate, because they are properly attended to. The sheep' claim the most attention of any other class. Southdowns, Merinos, Gots■wolds, and Leicesters of the purest breed,are (exhibited; and, in fact, may be seen, on, iany ;sheep run of note. ; Wool .is the staple prpduce of New Zealand, and is the most exten T sive-'and profitable business, too. ; , , ; , I have merely alluded to the annual shows ;that your , may get an idea of the class of, stock, &c., that may be found in New .Zealand. ■''.'.""■ i But to return, the city of Christchurch i contains several Public Libraries, among which are the Young Men's Christian Association and the Mechanics' Institute;. also an Institute of Art and Science. Christchurch also contains an extensive Hospital, Lunatic I Asylum, Orphans' Asylunv and lastly, an Asylum for that class of women who have fallen from a state of chastity. ." , ; Like all Englishi cities, liquor is-sold openly. I have, on many occasions, cdunted upwards of two hundred places where intoxicating drink was. sold, hotels, wine vaults, and beer shops innumerable; The license law prevails, and the 1 cost "of a license varies from thirty to five hundred "dollars, and contains provisions which are stringently enforced, which make it a different thing from ordinary license laws. For instance, no liquor can be sold to minors or common drunkards.- The name and residence of the latter are published from time jto- time in the Government Gazette. In addition to the provincial laws' concerning the above, 1 the (General Assembly has passed " The Vagrant Act/ ; I will now r visit the railway tunnel, called the " Moorliouse Tunnel," which connects Port Lyttelton with. Christchurch and the South. There are several hundred miles of railroad in operation* through Canterbury. This tunnel/ which. was completed about twelve months ago, was cut through solid rock a j distance of three miles. It was a gigantic undertaking for a young province like Canterbury to encounter, but.it is a success, and the; name "of W. S. Moorhouse(the then Superintendent of the province), who suggested the idea and had it executed, will be a lasting memory there. Trains of cars now run from Port -Lyttelton to Christchurch, and- the travelling public avoid the dangerous zigzag round the mountain. \ This. • zig-ztg • was just wide enough for one carriage, with now. and then a, notch blasted out to pass teams. Many fatal accidents have occurred in going down some of the many deep descents on account of the friction gear giving away, .when :"the "vehicle would rash .down with passengers and horses, and at a sudden

curve in the road would dash the vehicle against the low wall and its occupants would be thrown out and instantly killed. There is also a " bridle path" which leads almost directly over the hill, diverging occasionally to avoid a precipice . In passing over " Port hill," as it is called, one is reminded of the ascent and descent of Mt. Blanc. Arriving at the summit of Mt. Pleasant (a pleasant name but an unpleasant job) you at once get a panoramic view of the surrounding country. Looking westward, at your very feet are the streets of Lyttelton, so near that the din of business may be heard, while beyond lies the broad smooth bay of Lyttelton, studded with vessels of every description. Still farther on, the eye rests on undulating hills, dotted with fields, woods, and farm-houses. Turn to the south and east, and most charming views meet the eye; almost at your feet lies the Heathcote Valley, dotted with fields, surrounded by hedges and genteel dwellings, with the river flowing through the valley in a serpentine course. Further on, the eye meets the undulating plain of Canterbury, with the Ayon, Waimakariri, Kowai, and Ashley, winding their way to the sea. The dim outlines of numerous villages meet the sight in the distance. Descending into Lyttelton, we find it Bituated on a hill-side, and it has one of the best harbours in New Zealand. Wharves extend out where vessels may safely lay. A large amount of shipping in the wool line is done here annually. The city contains a customhouse, provincial prison, and armoury, besides ship building is carried on to a considerable extent. The railway tunnel comes out in about the centre of the city, and on a level with the wharves.