THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1978, 26 June 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.

The public, if not the members of the City Council, will, wo think, now endorse the opinion which we expressed some time ago respecting the cluster of structures known as the market. That opinion was to the effect that to establish such a heterogenous collection of sheds on a valuable and prominent site in the city was a mistake. We do not think any one will be found to deny the truth of this proposition. Fortunately the term of lease granted to stall holders is but a short one, and the site will again revert to the Corporation at no distant date. This being so, it appears to us to bo an appropriate time to consider what is to be done in the future with the site. To perpetuate the existing state of affairs is not to be thought of, so that it becomes necessary to devise some other scheme. One thing is certain, that a market is wanted, and that the public have benefitted considerably by the establishment iof tho present one. Wo think it is quite possible to -, continue this advantage to the public '

without the present disadvantages. Let the City Council therefore consider whether it is not feasible to erect on the present site.a permanent market similar to those existing in other cities. It might be roofed in, and besides the shops opening out to the streets, a broad asphalt pavement might run down the centre, and other shops or stalls open out thereon. The cost of erecting such a building would not be very large, and the greater portion, if not the whole, would be recouped by the rentals derived from the shops. Such a building, as well as being convenient both to tradesmen and the public, could be made an ornament to the city. "We hope the Council will take this matter into consideration, and that they will bo able to see their way clear to adopt the suggestion we have thrown out.

A correspondent's . letter in another column raises a question with respect to a body of men whose useful services to the public have boon so thoroughly recognised. From the letter referred to it appears that the Fire Police, as an active body, is not in a very vital state. The officers, it seems, have recently, for some reason or othor, not taken much interest in the welfare of tho corps ; the roll does not appear to have been lately called at fires, and, generally, though the corps still exists nominally, it is almost practically extinct. That such should bo the case cannot but be regretted. The Fire Police, as a body, have on all occasions worked so admirably and saved so much useless destruction of property that anything occurring to mar their efficiency and usefulness must bo deplored. As to the cause of thi3 we are unable to form any conclusion. Some time back, it will be remembered, there was a little difficulty as to the officer under whoso orders at a fire the police were to be. This was apparently satisfactorily arranged, after a conference with the City Council and Fire Brigade. If the resolution then arrived at, viz., that the Firo Police should be under command of the senior fire inspector then being present, has been found to work badly, and that for this reason the officers have tacitly declined to act, then the sooner tho matter is discussed by all parties concerned, and, if possible, remedied, the better. Now, more than ever, since the population is increasing, the services of the Firo Police aro invaluable. We hope a new departure will be made. If a hitch has anywhere occurred in the smoothness with which affairs are working, the sooner it is removed the better.