THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1882. WIDENING COLOMBO STREET.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2599, 5 August 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1882. WIDENING COLOMBO STREET.

As our readers are probably aware, some idea is entertained by the City Council of acquiring a portion of the frontage known as Morten’s block, in order to widen Colombo street. That the necessity exists for some steps being taken to rollers the crash of traffic concentrating on to the one point from nearly every part of the city will be admitted by all. Scarcely a day passes bat what narrow escapes from serious accident occnr. It is not alone that the traffic of vehicles has enormously increased, but the particular spot in front of the Bank of Mew Zealand is the one chosen by the Tramway Company to station their trams. Several times during the day there are no less than three trains of tramcsrs blocking np and rendering still more difficult of passage the already narrow thoroughfare. Bren supposing, however, that this evil were removed, there would still exist the same difficulty with regard to dealing with the traffic of the city, which can only be got over by the proposed widening of the street. Some years ago it was proposed to do exactly what is now suggested. Even in those pro-historic days, however, there existed a prototype of Mr. Samuel Clarkson, and the good citizens refused to acquire what would now have been a very handsome endowment for the city, as well as affording an opportunity of improving it, thereby rendering increased convenience to the citizens. That this was a mistake they have found out, and now are brought face to face with the inevitable —viz,, that the street must be widened, and that without delay. The public are not yet in possession officially of the exact sum required for the frontage, so that it is impossible to quote it. If, however, that at which popular rumor puts it is correct, then there is no doubt it is, under the exceptional circumstances as to position, &0., very reasonable. It must be remembered that land in a central position like the block referred to gains in value almost every day. Bet our readers compare the price at which it could have been obtained some years back with what it would fetch in the market to-day. This, it appears to ns, apart from the necessity which exists for the acquisition of the frontage, is a very strong argument in favor of the Council at ones closing with the offer. If the chance ha let slip now, it may never occur again; because it is not improbable that, however large a sum were offered, say two or three years hence, the holder would refuse to sell. We hope, therefore, that the City Council will at once take the matter in hand and close it. We have already had occasion to remark as to the obstruction to the progrecs of the city manifested by a certain section of ratepayers;, who, sheep-like, are content blindly to follow their leader wherever ho may go, and therefore we should advise the members of the City Council to take upon themselves the responsibility of deciding this question at once and for over. We feel assured that it will he one of the best things ever done in connection with civic matters. Excellent as our worthy Mayor has proved himself, the completion of this matter and the improvement of Colombo street will be one of the brightest eras in amunicipal reign which has been nn»

■exampled in the history of the city. It is not a question of economy, nor one to bo treated in a penny-wise-pound-foclish manner. The exigencies of the traffic of the city are such as to demand imperatively some alteration from the present state of things, and now is the only time we are likely to have an opportanity of doing it. If it is so urgently needed now, as we contend it is, if the inconvenience is now felt so keenly, what will it be in a few years, when the city has increased. The traffic will never be less and is hound to increase to a very large extent, because there is no possible means of providing an outlet. The whole traffic of the city converges on to this one narrow thoroughfare, and looking ehead, as we are bound to do only a few years, the acquisition of the frontage now proposed is a public necessity, and will, we trust, bo recognised as such by the members of the City Council. These gentlemen will, of course, be accused of all kinds of motives, but it is to bo hoped that they will be public-spirited enough to disregard this, and to carry out to a practical conclusion what will be a benefit to tho community at largo.

THE PROJECTED WATER SUPPLY COMPANY.

It is with very great pleasure we notice a project on foot for the establishment of a company for the supply of tho city with water. Not alone are we convinced that, if carried out, the scheme will be a financial success, but it will also enable us to reap those advantages which the unreasoning and unfounded opposition of a clamorous section of ratepayers has for the present deprived us of. If, as they ought to do, our principal citizens come forward and aid the scheme alike hy their influence and capital, Christchurch may yet hope to retrieve its position amongst the cities of the colony in providing increased facilities for fire prevention, aad a ready and cheap supply for domestic use. If, as we sincerely hope it will, tho project now in embryo is successfully floated, Christchurch will have cause to be grateful to those gentlemen who have taken the initiative in this matter, and whilst, no doubt, securing for themselves a very handsome return on the capital invested, they will also be doing a public service.