The Globe. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1876.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 750, 14 November 1876, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1876.

Some time back we called the attention of the City Council to the nuisance caused by the congregation of cabs on the south side of Gloucester street. The footpaths were crowded with cabmen and others of a less reputable character, making it almost impossible for pedestrains to pass along. For a short time the cabmen were compelled to stand on the other side of the street, and what had become almost intolerable was to a certain extent abated. But recently, for some reason or other, this very salutary regulation has fallen into disuse, and again passers by have to run the gauntlet of foul language and a crowd of questionable characters. That this is so is a discredit to the city, for no one who has any respect for himself can now pass along with a lady. From an early hour in the evening until after the close of the performance at the theatre, the footpath is blocked up with a crowd whose language is anything but the choicest. There is certainly no reason why the cabs should not stand on the other side of the street. The only time that they are required is at the conclusion of the performance when they could be hailed in the usual manner. The excuse offered when the police interfered on a former occasion was that the offending cabmen were engaged and werewaiting for their fare. This, however true, when applied to one or two, becomes simply absurd when one sees fifteen or sixteen cabs drawn up in a line alongside the footpath. As it is now, it is a matter of difficulty ©yen for a mac, when ua*

accompanied by ladies, to push his way through the herterogeneous assemblage who monopolise the side walk, and we are somewhat surprised that the police should n l low so palpable a nuisance to exist even for a single day. Under the bye-law cabs are allowed to remain for hire within a certain distance of places of public amusement, but it was never intended for one moment that the thoroughfare should be obstructed, and the public incommoded in the way they now are. S.» far as the public convenience is concerned—which is the principal object for allowing the cabs to stand there —it would be as well served by the vehicles standing on the opposite side of the street. If this were done, which we contend should be without delay, there would be none of the crowding and disgraceful scenes which nightly occur, and the cabmen would be able as readily to obtain fares as they are now. Under the present arrangement the congregation of disreputable characters is encouraged, and if things go on as they are now, it will soon be impossible for respectable persons to pass along the street at all. As it is, they are obliged to see and hear things which are far from pleasant, and which never should be allowed to take place in one of the most frequented parts of the city, in the evening. We had hoped that the remonstrances made on a former occasion would have resulted in a permanent change for the better, but it appears we were mistaken. The tardily awakened vigilance of the police has again relapsed into indifference, and the street bids fair shortly to again gain an unenviable notoriety. The facts to which we have alluded militated considerably against the attendance at the theatre, and, if not checked, will do so again. The public have certainly the right to be protected against such a state of things existing, and we again urge the matter on the authorities. We do not know whether the City Council or the police authorities are to blame, but one thing is certain that at present a change is most urgently needed. We hope, therefore, that whoever has the ordering of these matters will take immediate steps to bring about an alteration, and that, if a cab stand is needed, it will be fixed on the opposite side, so that the evils, now patent to everyone, may be done away with.