THE GLOBE SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1882. A PERMANENT CITY MARKET.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2426, 14 January 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1882. A PERMANENT CITY MARKET.

We have already in general terms referred to the address of his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch on assuming office, but there is one special point in it to which we desire to direct attention. That is the portion of his Worship’s address where he refers to the necessity which exists in Christchurch for the establishment of a permanent market. We rejoice to receive from so distinguished a citizen and shrewd man of business as his Worship such a strong confirmation of our views upon this matter. Every day, to our mind, brings still stronger confirmation of the fact that the time has now arrived when the establishement of a permanent market is a pressing necessity, the accomplishment of which ought in the interests of the city not to be longer delayed. Of course there are opponents to this, as there will always be to any work having for its object the progress of Christchurch. We have had a notable specimen of this kind of thing lately in connection with the water supply question, their decision on which will be regretted deeply some day by the ratepayers. We feel certain of this, however, despite any opposition which may be raised, that the people of Christchurch will be able to have a commodious and fairly handsome edifice erected f‘ r the purposes of a market at a compartf.vely‘ small cost, and that cost will more than be recouped during the first three years at moat by the rents received. One of the great arguments used by the opponents of a permanent market is that the present one does not pay those who occupy stalls, and that to erect a large

'building would be merely creating a corporation white elephant. They say “ the people do not patronise the present market to such an extent as to render it a payable thing for tradespeople to hold stalls therein.” Granted that this is so, which we do not for one moment dispute, the reason is not far to seek. The surroundings of the present market are certainly not such as would induce persons to frequent these for the purpose of purchasing. Like all other things in business, the market requires to be made attractive. Now, even the most enthusiastic conservative upholder of the present array of sheds will not attempt to say that they are by any means attractive. Anyone wishing to purchase has either to transact business on the side-walk or crush a way into the very small shed through mounds of vegetables. Hence it is hardly to bo expected that such a place as that now on the Market Reserve would bo patronised largely. But let a proper market building be erected with every provision for cleanliness, and it would soon become quite a promenade. With such a building erected, quite a different class of purchasers would spring up, and the stallholders would find not only that their trade had largely increased, but that also they had secured a class of customers whoso patronage was most valuable. The other aspect of the question, viz., the improvement of the city, has already been -dilated upon by us. Certainly the removal of the present disgraceful assemblage of huts, and the substitution of a decent building where the citizens could make their purchases in comfort, would bo an advantage of itself. We trust, therefore, that his Worship, true to his motto of “Advance Christchurch,” will use his influence to have this matter brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and that before the termination of his official year he may be called upon to lay the first atone of a new market.