The Globe. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 839, 2 March 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1877.

At the meeting of the City Council yesterday a subject was incidentally referred to by Councillor Ick which we hope will receive some attention at the hands of the body to whom it was remitted. We allude to the suggestion that fthe street lamps of the City should be kept lighted somewhat longer than at present. In other cities in New Zealand and Australia, the rule obtains of allowing the gas lamps to remain alight until sunrise. It is regarded as an admirable adjunct to the protection of life and property from the very reason that at the hour the Council here in its sapiency has chosen to put the lights out, the criminal population are on the move. Under present regulations the lights are extinguished punctually at 1 a.m,, and for the remainder of the morning, just at the time when light is more needed than any other, the city is plunged in darkness and left at the mercy of fire raisers or burglars. That is, in reality we get about one hour and a half of useful light from the public lamps, for up toll p.m. the hotel and shop lamps are sufficient to light pedestrians on their way. It is not necessary to extend the hours unduly at present. If the public lamps were extinguished, say about 3 a.m. in summer, and two hours later in winter, no very great additional cost would be incurred. The extra expenditure would, we contend, be amply compensated by the increased security afforded t« life and property, and the assistance it would give to the police in the detection and prevention of crime. In London it has been said that one gas lamp is worth a host of policemen, and in a smaller degree that applies here. The criminal will not ply his nefarious profession in the light, but given as now the primitive arrangement of extinguishing lights which are for public convenience and safety, just when they are of use, and it will be found that their numbers will increase. It takes one back almost to the days of the curfew, and has often excited the astonishment of visitors here that such an absurd regulation should still hold good. In the early days of Christchurch when city life had in it a spice of Arcadian simplicity, and the good citizens were seldom abroad after nightfall it might have answered, but now it is not only ridiculous but mischievious as offering a premium for the commission of crime. We hope also that while considering this subject the lighting committee, with that liberality in the matter for which they are renowned, will be able to see their way clear not alone to lengthen the hours of the gas remaining alight, but also to increase considerably the number of lamps. Tbe city is rapidly extending in every direction. Streets which but a short time ago were sparsely built upon now show continuous rows of houses; the Gas Company’s mains run in almost every direction, but still we find the lamps very like angels’ visits. This, though no'c so imperative as the necessity we have been referring to, is still a pressing one, and it is the duty of the Council to endeavor, as far as possible to keep pace with the increase of population. This means a larger payment into the city funds in the shape of rates, &c., and the ratepayers are certainly entitled to look for some return. As to the expense which we shall be told will be necessary, we do not think that need be any bar. A Council that can evolve a scheme to buy a section of land and erect buildings at a total cost of some thousands of pounds, without comipg to tbe ratepayers’ pockets, can surely provide for the erection of a few more lamps. We leave the matter in the bands of tbe committee, with the hope that something will be done, and that quickly, so as to be provided against the coming winter.