The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, 30, 1884. Our Streets

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 46, 30 September 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, 30, 1884. Our Streets

As the second instalment of the £6000 loan, viz., £2000, will soon be available for expenditure, we think it well to point out to the members of the Borough Council certain works on the Loan Schedule which might be undertaken during the ensuing months, when fine weather may be safely expected. We find, on reference to the schedule, that Manchester street, from Eyre street to Fitzroy street, 42 chain 8, and Kimbolton road, from Weld street to South street, 50 chains, are authorised. These works have, very properly, been left in abeyance while others and more important ones — those on the outskirts of the town — have been made or put in such condition as to facilitate traffic. Now that the latter are so far complM e, it is only reasonable to expect t; nt tbe two main thoroughfares should roc -ive their share of attention. TL v.many reasons why these very de : raole works should be put forward prominently, not the least of which i_. .he impression created on the minds of visitors who view the town for the first time. This is, we are grieved to say, a very unfavorable one, but the feeling is perfectly natural, for the present condition of our streets does not in any way give faithful evidence of the actual prosperity which exists with us, in comparison with other and much older settlements. To look at Manchester street and Kimbolton road — with the utter absence of foot paths, and the hideous and evil-smelling ditches at their sides, which may in the summer months prove fatal disseminators of disease and death — no sensible man could say with honesty that they were struck with the advantages of Feilding as a place of residence. On the other hand, their feelings of repugnance would be forcibly excited, and many who might have proved valuable acquisitions as settlers have been driven away. It must be remembered that the money is provided to do the work. No action of the Council can divert one penny of such money from the purpose for wbich it was voted. The only thing is the order of time in which it shall be done — that rests with the Council. We would urge upon Councillors who have really the interests of the town at heart, and we have reason to believe that severally and collectively they all have this, the pressing nature !ot this appeal. Other settlements near ias are moving on in the march of progress far more rapidly, without the same internal causes, and leaving us far behind, when we ought to be in the van. It is true that our financial position is .really better than that which obtains in other places in our I mind's eye. But if these places hold 1 odt such attractions tp new settlers as | they do, they are securing their own I ultimate solvency, while we remain no better off. It goes without saying that the Manchester Square would require beautifying at the same time. We may mention that if these streets are made several wealthy residents propose to build new dwelling houses And places of business. They are induced to consider such erections by the present low rates ruling the timber market, and the real soundness of trade. The only deterrent is the uncertainty as to when the streets would be made passable. The general fin ancial benefits the business people and all classes of labor in the Borough would derive are too patent for ns tp be required to point them out, but we may say that trade and business ot all kinds would receive an impetus which it mnch needs at this time of writing.