THE MISCELLANEOUS BY-LAW.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2717, 23 December 1882, Page 2

THE MISCELLANEOUS BY-LAW.

These are one or two provisions in the miscellaneous by-law now in coarse of enactment which we feel enre tho general pnblic will welcome as boons. The first of these is the prohibition of the dreadful nuisance of bell-ringing in the streete. Mr "Weller, senior, used to say that all turnpikes were kept by misanthropic individuals who had taken to that employment as a means of revenge upon their fellow - creatures. Similarly we cannot help thinking that the persons who make the day hideous with their fearful clangor take a fiendish delight in witnessing the sufferings of those in their vicinity. We are quite unable to discover any reasoa why this nuisance, which daily is becoming far more pronounced, should ever hare been allowed to reach to its present height. On Saturday it is positive torture to anyone with the slightest approach to nerves to walk along the principal thoroughfares of Christchurch. At almost every step one is confronted by a 'fiend in human form, ringing a bell with the utmost vigor. We feel sure that the Council, if th*y succeed in stopping this, will earn the gratitude of a very lar«re suction of the community. Tho other provision *o which we desire to direct uttentinn i« one the necessity for which we advocated some time back. It is t>> compel all vehicles passing throtiKh the streets of the city to carry lights after dark. The traffic through tho streets has so largely increased, and the recklessness of drivers is so pronounced, that the time has arrived when, in the interests of public safety some ench provision should be made law. It is only by great good luck that accidents do nor, more frequently occur. Vehicles of all kinds are driven round street corners at night, especially on a Saturday when the thoroughfares are crowded, at a pace which endangers the lives of tho people. There are no lights to give warning, and in nine cases ont of ten the driver does not trouble himself to do so. The unfortunate foot passengers, have to flee as best they can. Having in view the rihk which is constantly run, we cannot but express a fervent hope that the by-laws containing such excellent pro visions will pass safely over the rocks and shoals of ultra vires and become law.