THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1649, 3 June 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1879.

The action taken by the Government in connection with the unemployed, cannot but be regarded as satisfactory. It is true that the Waipara railway works will afford employment to but a tithe of those deserving it, bnt still, by reducing the number out of work, the distress that exists is aleviated. It is to be regretted that one point in the proposal that the Minister for Public Works lias just made, could not have been carried out. If there had been a possibility of its being done, it would have induced tho settlement on Crown lands of those who, perhaps, under other circumstances, could never hope to become landholders. The idea of Mr. Macandrow was, to offer the Crown land in the vicinity of the proposed works on deferred payment, thus inducing settlement, and creating another centre of industry. Had this been practicable, and had it been carried into effect, the nucleus of another source of employment would have been found. But unfortunately no Crown lands remained unalienated near the Waipara, and consequently the scheme was not practicable. However, the response which has been made by the Government to tho cry of the unemployed should convince them of two things. First, that tho Government is not so insensible to tho claims upon its consideration of those wanting employment ; and, secondly, that those who nufortunatey feel the pressure of tho times harder than others will not ho allowed to starve. Already, in addition to the offer now made by the Government, the local bodies are bestirring themselves to put in hand works which will at least afford much temporary aid. If those Road Boards who have largo balances at the bank only follow tho load of the various local bodies, tho unemployed will speedily he absorbed. It has been said—notably by a correspondent in a contemporary — that tho Road Boards have spout money on works so far as is prudent, While this may he true as regards some of the Boards, there aro others who have not spent one single penny; who have amply allowed their money to accumulate in tho hank whilst tho communication by road in their districts is of the most primitive character. Besides, it must bo remembered that this is an extraordinary occasion, demanding more than ordinary measures on the part of those who aro in a position to do anything towards alleviating the distress. Works, which under ordinary circumstances tho Road Board would be perfectly justified in postponing, now, in face of the crisis, claim immediate attention. The City Council of Christchurch, in dealing with the South town belt question, fully recognised this, and we hope tho Road Boards will do tho same. Tho co-operation of tho Government, Hoad Boards, and local bodies would soon reduce tho ranks of tho unemployed, until, in tho ordinary course of events, the cry of “no work’’ would cease. We would desire to urge upon those who are unfortunately now without employment, tho necessity of patience. All is being done for them that can ho, and ore long the “ silver lining” which is behind oven the darkest cloud, will become fully visible.

It is with much satisfaction, which wo aro sure will bo shared by a large number of citizens, that we notice an attempt at last made to stem tho tide of larrikinism which is rampant in tho streets of tho city, especially on Saturday and Sunday evenings. This nuisance has now become so pronounced that strictly repressive measures are a necessity. Gangs of half and wholly grown larrikins patrol the

side walks, elbowing iho ladies into the road without the slightest ceremony. Not only so, but the most prominent corners of tho streets, such as near the Bank of New Zealand and at tho corners of Gloucester and Armagh streets are, particularly on Sunday evening, occupied by gangs of tho kind spoken of. If they condescend to give way in order to allow persons to pass, they form a kind of lane and make all sorts of ribald remarks on tho ladies who are thus compelled to run tho gauntlet or sock refuge in the miry road. That this is no exaggerated or fancy picture, every one who has occasion to walk in the localities mentioned will test ify to. Tho only wonder is, and it speaks volumes for tho law-abiding nature of the Christchurch citizens, that some relatives of tho ladies thus insulted have not taken the law into their own hands, and given these gentry what they richly deserve. In other cities tho police take care that no such obstructions occur as wo have shown exist here. Gathox’ings of people at street corners are not allowed, and consequently ladies and pedestrians generally are enabled to pass freely on tho footways. It is to bo regretted that, in the case in tho Magistrate’s Court to which wo have referred, the offenders were allowed to escape through tho reluctance of the prosecutor to appear in Court. Wo trust that in any future case of a similar kind this will not bo allowed to stand in the way of justice, but that if such conduct is proved, tho offenders will moot with sharp punishment. It is only by making examples of one or two of the most prominent larrikins that wo can hope to put down the nuisance. The police, too, might do good service by preventing tho assemblage of people at tho points referred to by us.

Some time ago a very important report was before the Drainage Board in its capacity as Local Board of Health, with reference to tho deficient sanitary arrangements at most of tho public schools, Tho matter was buought under tho notice of the Board of Education, and it was then decided that stops should be taken to remedy the defects pointed out. It will, of course, be soon what an important point this is in schools where largo numbers of children are massed. But the report of the Inspector of Nuisances road yesterday showed that the condition of tho sanitary arrangements in thi-ee at least of our public schools is in no wise improved. This strikes ns as being serious, and as demanding instant attention on the part of tho Board of Education. If the committees, after tho notice already referred to, still neglect their duty, it is for the Board to step in and compel them to mend matters. It will never do to allow the state of things revealed by tho Inspector’s report to continue.