to construct and that his preference was for a more rapid opening up of the area, hence the wooden tramway. The debate continued with support for Lighband coming from outlying areas and opposition from within his electorate. On 19 March 1872 the Colonist editorial announced Lightband's intention to sail for England via San Francisco in April of the year. It also stated that he would be resigning from Parliament. Whether his resignation and journey were because of the controversy or not is not stated. Sir David Monro, Richmond, and David Luckie stood to replace him. Lightband's letter of 16 April gave formal notice of his resignation and was published in Nelson Evening Mail. Journey to England Lightband sailed from Nelson to the Manukau on the steamer Phoebe on 16 April, the same day as his resignation. His journey to England was via Honolulu, San Francisco, thence overland to New York. He intended to travel for about 9 months, promoting New Zealand. Lightband sailed from Auckland on the 2,166 ton paddle steamer Nevada on 21 April. News of his arrival in England was reported in the Nelson Evening Mail on 11 September. Citing a European Mail correspondent, Anglo Australian, it said that Lightband was dissatisfied with the Honolulu to San Francisco leg of his journey and hoped to find any novelty's in England that might advance New Zealand industry. Lightband sailed from Galle on the P and O 1,790 ton steamship RMSS Behar on 28 October 1872. The ship encountered rough weather during its passage, arriving in King George Sound on 14 November 1872. Lighband sailed with the ship to Melbourne. Given Lightband sailed from Galle to Australia on his return voyage, his most likely route would have been from Southampton to Alexandria, Egypt, overland to Suez, and then steamship to Galle. If Lightband was feeling particularly prosperous he may have sailed through the Suez Canal, but it was more expensive and slower than the overland route by rail to Suez. From Melbourne Lightband sailed to Bluff on the 765 ton steam ship Albambra. It left Port Phillip on 8 December 1872 and arrived at Bluff on 12 December 1872 along with his wife and child. They reached Nelson on 20 December. Return to local politics By mid May 1873 he was again advocating opening of access to the Buller-Reefton area to enable the exploitation of its mineral reserves. Then in