The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 471, 14 July 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do."

Thebeis some amount of feeling expressed with reference to tlie action intended by Councillor Atkin, for the improvement of the footpaths of Queen-street. There are those who characterise such conduct as arbitrary ; but we question if there is one thing that has forced on the attention of citizens and strangers the necessity for a Municipal.Council with extensive powers, more than the disgraceful appearance of our main street.- It has been the theme of a chronic grumble among citizens, and has. pointed the moral and adorned the tales of travellers, who have favoured: the world with their " Impressions." We sincerely rejoice at the prospect afforded in Mr. Atkins motion, that we are about to mend our ways, and present a more respectable appearance to the stranger tjiafe sojourneth within our gates. Still, wfe think that Mr. Atkin should moderate his demands. The enforcing of this rule of compulsory flagging will press severely on many, even though the Council should aid in so far as to afford the requisite labour. Certainly, little sympathy should be given to those who have so long allowed the footpath at their doors to remain, in a state so discreditable, and; while others had gone, to the expense ~ of paving, neutralized the good effect by leaving great patches of scoria and mud to generate dust, to destroy the uniformity of the sidewalk and the equanimity of pedestrians. But there is no reason for absolutely insisting oh such an ex pensive method of improving the footpath. We have, it is true, an excellent species of stone for flagging; but with all this advantage,, flagging is a very fieriors expense, and it is vfell known that every advantage possessed by flagging, and some advantages besides, are possessed by asphalte.. pavemeut properly performed, and at, perhaps, one-third the cost. Those of course who have never seen any other place but Auckland, will pomt to the general failure of this substance in our streets; although the patch at the corner of Queen and Port-streets is a standing testimony to its capabilities. In other cities of New Zealand this substance is in the very highest esteem ; and there cannot be a doubt that by substituting flinty pebbles —such as are found on the beach of some .of our little islands for the porous scoria that has mainly contributed to the (-failure of ' asphalte "in Auckland, the same success would attend asphalte, as a pavement, that has so generally attended it elsewhere. We would •strongly recommend Mr. Atkin to embrace asphalte as well as stone in his very excellent motion: *W& understand that some few months ago, the same person that had laid the asphalte many years ago, at Williams' corner, made proposals to the City Board, which were then waived, in consequence of the inability of the Board to deal j effectively with the question ; and we would urge that before such a serious burthen as that contemplated is laid on the owners of Queenjjtreet property, the capabilities of . asphalte should be considered, together J with tho merits of the proposals some time Bip'ce^lsubmitteil ;to,^he City Board. It should be distinctly known that in almost every particular, asphalte, properly made and laid, is superior to the finest stone flagging. -It is pleasanter to walk upon, not liable to tilting up, like flagstpnetf; dess^expensr^ ti> kefe^ipl repair^causes' no 'obstruction tovpassenger traffic when being repaired; and when " top dressed," occasionally is quite as durable as stone. These ate advantages not to be ignored, and wjhen to this is fadded the great difference' in cost, we trust that of the interests of owners of property, equally with -the interests of the public, will induce ail investigation into' the^elktiye merits of the two materials. Mr. Atkin has taken a most desirable step inj advance, and is to be commended by all who have at. heart the interests of the city. We trust, however, that he; will not feel wedded to his motion to such an extent as' to ignore a substance that is so deservedly popular in other places.