THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1658, 13 June 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1879.

Another step lias been taken in the direction of solving tho difficulties which surround the question of tho formation of the south side of the South town belt. As will bo recollected, tho state of matters at tho last meeting of tho City and Sydenham Councils was that a resolution was agreed to unanimously by tho City Council members to the following effect: —“ That in order to meet if possible the wishes of tho Sydenham Borough Council in the matter of forming and channelling of the south site of the South belt, it is desirable that the City Council should be prepared to bear half the cost of forming the roadway in question and tho pathway along tho same, conditional upon the Sydenham Borough Council performing their moiety of the same, together with channelling tho same lino in a manner corresponding with that done in the City, all tho work to be undertaken simultaneously; provided in no case the total cost shall exceed tho sum of £so®, the work to bo performed under the superintendence of tho City Council.” This proposal was objected to by tho Sydenham Council, on the ground that it bound them to commence tho laying of the concrete channelling at once, whereas they desired to do it some time hence, when a general system of channelling was carried out throughout tho borough. This, then, it appears to us is tho sturablingblock in tho way of the settlement at once and for ever of this much vexed question. Tho City Council —and wo are bound to say we think unnecessarily—insist on the formation of tho channelling being carried on simultaneously with the rest of the work. We have said that wo think the City Council unnecessarily insist upon this, and we will give reasons for so doing. In tho first place, the Sydenham Council undertake that tho work shall bo the first portion of tho general scheme of channelling put in hand, and they further undertake —which wo think lies at the root of tho whole matter —that they will keep tho existing side channels clean and free from nuisance. This, wo think, is fair enough. Tho Sydenham Council intend shortly to carry out the channelling of the streets of the borough, and then this town belt channelling can be included in the contract. If the footpath and road bo formed and metalled and the existing channels well looked after, no very great harm can ensue. The channels have been loft for a very long time in their present condition, and tho delay of a few weeks therefore, can not be of such vital importance as to allow this consideration to imperil tho whole work. Secondly, as wo understand it, one of the groat reasons why the City Council acknowledged any liablity whatever in connection with this work was that its being carried out now would afford that employment which is go urgently needed for a number of men. That this is so is proved by tho remarks

mado by tho Mayor of Christchurch and other members of tho City Council as to the desirability of mutual concessions being mado in view of the affording of employment. Tho character of such employment, from tho fact that a large proportion of those now out of work are unskilled laborers, must necessarily bo what is known as pick and shovel work. Well, what do tho Sydenham Council propose under their resolution of yesterday ? To expend over £IOOO in just this kind of work, the greater part of tho sum being paid for actual labour, thus circulating a considerable amount of money —as times go—amongst tho working classes. Now lot us see what the proposal insisted on by tho City Council will result in. This body wishes, at the risk of upsetting thh whole arrangement, and leaving the final settlement of the cpiestion of the formation to an indefinite period, to push on the channelling first. This involves an expenditure of £720, out of which tho very class desired to bo benefitted, viz., the unskilled labourers, will receive about £BO. By the proposition of tho Sydenham Borough Council over £IOOO would bo circulated amongst the working classes, and a work which it is desirable to get done, so as to settle, once and for all, tho differences which have arisen, would bo completed. We are unable to see why tho City Council should not bo able at once to accept the proposition of tho Sydenham Council. Two very important points it provides for. It affords employment which is admitted on all sides to bo most greatly needed, and it provides for tho temporary side channelling being kept clean. This, it seems to us, is all that tho City Council can ask. Why such stress should bo laid on the immediate commencement of a work like concrete channelling, which includes a largo immediate expenditure for material, wo are unable to see. The Sydenham Council agree that tho work shall bo done under the supervision and, therefore, to tho satisfaction of the City Surveyor, the executive officer of tho City Council, so that really this latter body have a largo amount ef control over the expenditure of the money. For these and other reasons which might bo advanced, wo hope that the Council at its next meeting on Monday will bo prepared to accept tho proposition of the Sydenham Council, so that tho work may bo proceeded with at once, and employment afforded to a number of men.

Judging from a telegram published a few days back, the Wellington people, alike with ourselves, have cause to complain of the lack of zeal on the part of their local committee who are managing Sydney Exhibition matters. So far as Canterbury is concerned, if any visitor to the Exhibition forms his notion of our progress, wealth, and general prosperity from the exhibits sent thither, ho will have a very poor opinion of us. There has boon little or no special effort made to show what our resources really are, and the result will bo that, in the proposed New Zealand Court, Canterbury will make anything but a creditable figure. The time is fast drawing near when the reception of exhibits will be ho closed, and, if wo scan the list of applications, it is scarcely so representative as the New Zealand Manufactures division at an agricultural show. We have made up our minds to ho represented at the Exhibition, and, this being so, wo ought to strain every nerve that it should ho worthily. Far better, indeed, would it he not to he represented at all than poorly, because in the latter case an erroneous and most unfavourable opinion is formed of us by people who have no other moans of judging than by taking stock of what they see before them. It was unfortunate that the composition of the local committee was not considerably extended at the outset. To confine it to members of the Chamber of Commerce was an error, because in a movement such as this, wide - spread sympathy and cooperation are most essential. This could have been attained in making the committee more representative, by including, for instance, the mayors of boroughs and the representatives of the leading and staple interests of the district. In an article some months back, wo pointed out that this was the right course to adopt, and events have proved the correctness of this idea. However, we have to make the best of what wo have, and, therefore, it is to bo hoped that the near approach of the closing day will stir the committee up to make some special effort to get Canterbury represented in a manner deserving her position, wealth, and influence.