STONE BREAKING.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 669, 11 August 1876, Page 3

STONE BREAKING.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sin, —Among the marry sweet jokes perpetrated for the general benefit of the ratepayers, by that eccentric body the works committee of the City Council, perhaps one of the very richest has lately come—l should rather say been forced—under my notice.

Some little time ago a number of residents on Oxford terrace, near the Hospital, complained to the Council, and with good reason, of the annoyance experienced by the constant stone-breaking going on in front of their houses; and, bringing weighty influence to bear on the Council, a promise was given that, as soon as the stones stacked there had been broken, the nuisance would be removed; and the promise was kept. Well, sir, immediately after this we on the Cambridge terrace side were delighted to find cartloads of stone piled up day after day in front of our doors, followed by stone-breakers, whose musical rap, rap, from early dawn (though disturbing our morning slumbers) till dark night, we were pleased to hear, as we smiled at each other over our fences, and rubbing our hands, remarked, “ We’re going to have it at last,” meaning thereby that the road from the Hospital bridge to Montreal street was about to receive the long required three or four coats of metal. But judge, sir, how our gladness must have been turned to mourning, when wc saw those coveted heaps of nice-sized stones hourly carted away to improve other parts of the city, and large waggon loads of unbroken lumps being as quickly supplied in their place. Then did the melancholy fact become alas, too patent that the depot for breaking the metal had simply been transferred across the river, with this difference, that while at the former place the annoyance was carried on at least sixty yards from the houses, with us it goes on not more than about eight yards from our front doors, and so to speak under our very nose. Do dear Councillor Hawkes, the blest! use your powerful influence in our behalf, as you did for the other half, and have this cracking business removed a little lower down —say to that very suitable piece of waste ground near the boat shed—so that we may be able to get a little sleep of mornings; and we, and each of us, will promise you in return not only to pay our rates as regularly for the future as we have done hitherto, but also to humbly follow in the tail of the doctorocracy, and steadfastly vote' for non-theological antics, and against hat cocking practices until it shall please you to cry, hold 1 enough! Yours, &c, A Prebian, Yet Sensitive Cambridge Terraceite. Christchurch, August Hth.