This problem involves uniformly accelerated linear motion. We are given the distance traveled $s$, the time interval $t$, and the final velocity $v_f$. We need to find the acceleration $a$ and the initial velocity $v_i$.

Let the given variables be:

$s = 255$ m $t = 30$ s $v_f = 16$ m/s

We will use the standard kinematic equations for constant acceleration.

[Q1] Find the object's acceleration. We use the kinematic equation that relates distance, final velocity, time, and acceleration:

$$s = v_f t - \frac{1}{2}at^2$$

First, we derive an expression for the acceleration, $a$:

$$\frac{1}{2}at^2 = v_f t - s$$ $$a = \frac{2(v_f t - s)}{t^2}$$

Now, we substitute the given values:

$$a = \frac{2((16 \text{ m/s})(30 \text{ s}) - 255 \text{ m})}{(30 \text{ s})^2}$$ $$a = \frac{2(480 - 255)}{900} \text{ m/s}^2 = \frac{2(225)}{900} \text{ m/s}^2 = \frac{450}{900} \text{ m/s}^2$$ $$a = 0.5 \text{ m/s}^2$$

[Q2] Find the object's initial velocity. Using the definition of acceleration, which relates initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time:

$$v_f = v_i + at$$

We derive an expression for the initial velocity, $v_i$:

$$v_i = v_f - at$$

Substitute the known values, including the acceleration $a$ we just found:

$$v_i = 16 \text{ m/s} - (0.5 \text{ m/s}^2)(30 \text{ s})$$ $$v_i = 16 \text{ m/s} - 15 \text{ m/s}$$ $$v_i = 1 \text{ m/s}$$