The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1892.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 120, 7 April 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1892.

The question of making certain building regulations to be in force in Feild. ing, is one which must sooner or later receive the attention of the Borougb Council. The only regulation now existing is that whereby the use of shingles for roofing is prohibited in certain parts of the Borough. As the number of buildings increase so does the risk of spreading fire increase, and too many precautions cannot be taken to obviate, as far as lies in the power of the Council, the irretrievable losses from this cause. In other towas it is made compulsory that there shall be brick party walls between all shops or stores in a block so to decrease the risk of a fire in one place being communicated to another, and also to give time for the removal of goods in the buildings in close proximity. It is no hardship on owners of property to compel them to comply with such a rule, because, whatever may be the extra cost, it would be recouped them either by increased rents or by diminished insurance rates. Another thing to be considered is the appearance of the facades of buildings on the principal streets. Something surely can be done to prevent the erection of buildings the very reverse of ornamental. While on the subject we may be permitted to remind members of the Borough Council that the Bye-laws of the Borough now in force, are in some iDßtauceß, obsolete, and in others ultra vires, so that a revision of them at an early date must be considered advisable.

In many other parts of the colony the institution of an Arbor Day for the planting of ornamental trees and shrubs in tbe roads approaching, and the principal streets running through the towns, is being established. Every one assists who is willing to add to the beauty of the place in which ho dwells, while the unwilling can, after the manner of their kind, look on and growl. Luckily in most instances the former seem to be in the majority, so that not only will the towns which devote a day to their adornment be made healthy and good to look upon, but the children grown up among such pleasant surroundings must make all the better men and women. We know that there exists a very reasonable objection to having " more holidays " but this Arbor day need not be allowed to interfere with or obstruct business in any way. For instance) if a professional man or tradesman cannot spare an hour to help to dig a hole in which to plant a tree, yet he may make a donation of a shrub, for others, who can give the time, to plant it. It is astonishing how many ways may be found to help a movement when the will is good— and on the other hand, how many ways may be found to obstruct. But the biggest obstacle to be removed is that of indifference ; the next is that of "cuesedneas" aa our American brethren call that vice which leads some people to oppose a project just because they fancy their neighbors favor it. The great hope of the promoter of the scheme is that he may be able to impart to a few others a portion of his enthusiasm so that the movement may become universal in every town and village in the colony. The Governhave promised to assist so far as possible, but while fostering they will leave the actual working and developing of it to the people themselves. The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald says that the Government are in favor of purchasing the Manawatu Eailway, and the subject will be brought before Parliament next session. The correspondent correctly adds : " The completion of such a purchase would be a trump card for the Premier throughout the whole of the Wellington province and the West Coast of the North Island."