Letters to the Editor.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 571, 30 December 1865, Page 3

Letters to the Editor.

Wanganui, Dec. 29, 1865. Sir,. —By to-day’s issue of your contemporary the ‘ Times,’ I observe a letter signed “X Y,” relative to a steam-ferry instead of an iron bridge for our river, and I must confess that I concur with the writer’s views on the subject, although I am inclined to think that au iron bridge of a cheap character might be had in the shape of a pontoon bridge—(the description of structure 1, with many others, have thought would answer better than anything else). To my mind, it would not answer to have a fixed iron bridge, as it is very doubtful if it would withstand such an earthquake as that of 1855. Certainly, any turn-table pier would be put out of joint, aruj ‘if so, I feel fully convinced that the present generation would look upon the thing as a curse rather than a benefit. The Editor of the ‘ Times ’ appends some remarks to the letter which are very much to the purpose, but I may perhaps inform that gentleman that common sense did suggest aud hint at, over and over again, much further back than two years since, that the ferry should he carried on by steam. However, stupidity, added to the personal views of a small clique, seems hitherto to have prevailed even against public opinion. It is high time that the public began to look after their own interests a little more, aud not trust to the charity of any overmeddling few, wlio may be anxious, either from sordid or other motives, to take them up, and so turn the stream, on all occasions, near their own doors. I hope you, as a public journalist, will always speak out when occasion, requires, and allow me to subscribe myself a Looker on.

Wanganui, Dec. 29, 1865.

Sir, —Since the barbarous murder took place between Nukumaru and Camp Alexander, no cue is allowed to proceed from the latter to the former place without an escort. This is perfectly right ; but in the face of it, how is the young mau who acts as butcher for the con tractors allowed to pack about 150 lbs. of meat on a horse which he has to lead along through an undulating sandy part of the country for five miles—viz., from Nukumaru to Waitotara ? Of course he has the pleasure of riding back on the old.horse and pack-saddle. In the name of humanity let it be pint a stop to. If not, there is every reason to believe that he will meet with the tragic end of poor John Arbon, after which our wise men in power will provide an escort. —lam, &c., 1 Common Sense.