THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1810, 9 December 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1879.

The delay which has taken place in the placing before the ratepayers some scheme for a much needed water supply has frequently been commented upon by us. Last night, in the City Council, a kind of ministerial crisis occurred which, to some extent at least, explains the dilatoriness of the committee. It appears from what was stated by members of tho committee that, almost from tho first appointment of it, out of their body one has consistently expressod himself opposed to any scheme; and another, to tho Waimakariri project. In this, of course, thoy wore perfectly right, so far as tho exercise of their private judgment was concerned. But holding tho viows they did, their duty was immediately to resign when they found there was no chanco of i carrying their opinions into effect. It seems to us that it was entirely wrong for them to continue to hold office in a committee avowedly appointed to carry out a certain scheme to tho extent of placing it before the ratepayers. Besides this, tho majority of tho committee being of opinion that the scheme was tho best one, left tho minority no alternative but to resign. Instead of this they preferred to remain on tho committee and to pursuo an obstructive policy. This was neither fair to tho Council nor to tho interests of tho ratepayers. Though not agreeing with tho plan propounded for bringing tho water into Christchurch from tho Waimakariri, we yet recognise tho necessity of somo scheme being carried into effect as speedily as possible. Delay, as we havo pointed out, is dangerous, and therefore the policy pursued by tho minority in so far that it has prevented tho settlement of tho question either ono way or tho other has not boon in the interests of the citizens. No good end has been served by it, and tho result has been that tho step they ought to havo taken long ago has now been forced upon them in a somewhat ignominious manner. The chairman of the committee who has, since its formation, been a consistent opponent of the majority was left, liko the last roso of summer, blooming alono, and had to make a virtue of necessity by adding his resignation to thoso of his colleagues. It is very much to bo regretted that this should have been so, and therefore we cannot but reiterate the opinion that the dissenting mombors were wrong not to have resigned long ago. A new committee has been formod, and we trust that they will set to work with a will in order to have the scheme sent for the decision of tho ratepayers. If, as we hope, tho result is that tho scheme is not accepted, it will clear tho way for others. At prosent it prevents any progress being made until this one is disposed of. Whatever may be the decision arrived at by tho ratopayors, there is ono thing very certain, and that is that tho Council must consider tho question of a temporary supply. It will be—should this scheme be adopted—two years boforo it is completed. In the meanwhile Christchurch, with an increasing population, and consequently increased risk, will bo loft without adequate means for fire prevention. The Council havo decided it is true to boro to tho second stratum so as to obtain an increased supply of water, but that is useless unless tho recoptaclos aro considerably enlarged so as to store up a greater quantity. To provide a temporary supply, which must be douo while the works aro proceeding, tho Council could, at but comparatively small cost, enlarge the tanks now iu use, and also provido others in different parts of the city whore thoy do not now exist. By this means a temporary supply will be obtained, which will, at least, bo a vast improvement on tho existing stato of affairs, This is a subject demanding tho early and earnest consideration of tho Council, and we hopo that they will not allow tho attractions of the largor scheme to divort their attention from it.

Councillor Taylor has brought before the Council the undeniable nuisance caused by the standing of fish carts at

tho Al corner and other places of public resort in the city. That this is productive of groat annoyance and inconvenience to tho citizens at largo cannot bo denied; but the question comes—how is it to bo remedied -without inflicting hardship upon tho sellers and inconvenience on a large section of tho community who deal with them ? Cr. Taylor and others suggest that the Market Reserve should bo utilised as a fish markot. No doubt it would bo an excellent site. But the difficulty is to got tho public to purchase there. Where tho fish carts now stand is cortainly a most inconvenient place, being situatod iu tho midst of a crowded thoroughfare. But to remove thorn to the Market Place would simply bo to prevent a very largo number of tho working classes from purchasing a cheap and nutritious article of food. Tho remedy which, in our opinion would meet all casos, at least for tho i>rosout, would 1)0 to amend tho defective bylaw so as to onablo tho Council to compel fish hawkers to move on after boing in one placo a certain timo, which would provent any nuisanco being created. The sollors would still bo enabled to dispose of thoir wares to tho best advantage; and thoso who, if the fish wore only sold iu tho Market place, would perhaps not purchase, could, as now, buy on thoir way homo from their day's work. Tho only difference would bo that, instead of a congregation of not over sweetly smolliug fish barrows at tho corner of one of our most thronged thoroughfares, tho vendors would bo compelled to move on after a reasonable timo. In this wo think thoro would bo no hardship, at the same time that tho public would bo tho gainers by the removal of what is now a decided nuisanco.