The Globe. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 851, 16 March 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1877.

The New Zealand Herald, in referring to a proclamation in the Gazette which throws open a large tract of land in the North Island to private purchase from the natives, directs attention to a matter which we hope the Government has not overlooked. Our contemporary points out that the district thrown open includes B-otorua and Tarawera, wherein are situated the famous hot springs. It is stated that although payments have been made upon blocks which include the White and Pink terraces at Rotomahana, the purchase has not been completed. As to the Eotorua springs, our contemporary is not aware in what position they are, but he does not think the Government has made any attempt to buy them. We think it is a pity that the Government has thought fit to throw open this district at all to private speculation. It should have been reserved as a people's park. Few districts in the world, not even excepting the new famous People's Park recently reserved by the United States, contain, within so small an area, so many natural wonders. The district is yearly attracting travellers from all parts of the colonies, and its fame has even reached the ears of tourists from the old world. We trust, therefore, that the Government of New Zealand will take steps to secure to the colony the whole of this district, before it passes from their hands for ever. It would be ten thousand pities if some ignorant speculator should succeed in obtaining possession" of, and turning into a vulgar show place, one ot the most wonderful districts in the world.

We are glad to notice that attention !uu been directed to the means of exit provided at our places of amusement. Fortunately we have never had such a thing as a panic here, or in the almost total absence of precautions, the loss of life would bavo been fearful. Wt

must confess to hardly sharing the feeling of security which the CitySurveyor seems to think exists on this matter. Some of our places of entertainment—notably those recently erected, such as the Theatre, &c —are better provided with means of egress But when we come to look at the Music Hall what do we find ? Why, that in a gallery holding 400 persons, and which being the cheapest part, is always well filled, the only means of exit provided, are two narrow steep staircases. The first fifty people on them when a rush took place, would effectually block the passage entirely. There is no other way of exit, and it will be conceded, we think, that steep and narrow stairways are not condusive to the free egress of a mob of excited people. As we have said, no calamity has occurred, but there is no knowing when it may, and it is incumbent on the City Council before granting the license to see that proper means of exit are provided for a large mass of people in case of fire.

Now that the majority of our Councillors seem to be casting their eyes in the direction of erecting costly piles of buildings, it may be as well to point out to them something useful. A little time back we directed attention to the total inadequacy of the Colombo street bridge for the traffic passing over it. Since that time nothing has been tdone, nor have any steps been taken to prevent the occurrence of accident, hairbreadth escapes from which are of daily occurrence. The bridge, from its narrowness has become almost useless for the very large amount of traffic passing over it—a traffic which is rapidly increasing. But not only this, carts and vehicles of all kinds are allowed to drive over it at full speed, although there is barely room for a foot passenger to pass. There is no sidewalk or the slightest protection for any pedestrian who might happen to be on the bridge at the time of a runaway or a shying horse crossing. The floor is also constantly in a state of decay, being cut up so much, and generally there has been more tinkering with this useless structure than would have sufficed to build a new one. The Council must be prepared, in view of the increase of the population to the north of the city, to build a bridge which will carry with safety the traffic. There can be no doubt of that, and the sooner it is done the better. We hope they will not wait until some citizen—or, more horrible soill, an alderman—meets with a severe injury, before they undertake what is a most pressing work, and one which can no longer be delayed.

The question of sanitary management for the city and suburbs comes before the conference shortly to be held, and there is just one point to which we desire to call their attention. It is one of some difficulty to write about, but still it is so pressing, and causes so much inconvenience, that it is necessary something should be said. What we refer to is, the early hour at which the scavenging carts commence their rounds. Just as people are leaving the various entertainments in the city, they are brought face to face with what cannot but be regarded as a nuisance. An hour later would avoid all this, and would not entail any serious inconvenience on the contractor. To commence poisoning the air at 11 p.m. seems to us rather too much of a good thing, and we hope the conference will see its way to extend this time by say one hour. This will give time for persons attending entertainments to get to their homes, and what is now felt to be a great inconvenience and annoyance will be avoided.