The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1878.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 35, 9 February 1878, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1878.

Bx the report of the Borough Council meeting, published iv last issue, we notice that Clause 207 of the " Municipal Corporations Act" has been adopted by the Council, and that immediate steps will be taken to bring it into operation m connection with all made streets. For the benefit of those of our readers who may not quite understand what the adoption of this Clause really implies, we quote the Clause as hereunder: — " The Council may, by an order m writing, require the owner or occupier of any land not separated from the streets or public places by a sufficient fence, to enclose the same by a fence to the satisfaction of the Council, within a time named m such order ; and if such owner or occupier neglects or refuses to enclose such land m the manner and within the time expressed m such order, the Council may fence m such land m Buch manner as it thinks fit, and may recover the cost thereof from such owner or occupier." This is a power which appears very reasonable for all Councils to possess, and at the present stage of our existence as a Municipality its adoption will prove most beneficial to the inhabitants of this town. If faithfully and punctually brought into opei^ation, this provision will soon prove the means of beautifying the streets when made, and of protecting them against damage caused by stray animals, and careless driving, besides protecting those who are compelled to walk along, and otherwise daily use them, for business and other purposes. The adoption of this Clause by the Council maybe looked upon by absentee owners as approaching oppression, and will no doubt prove the means of raising a little hornet's nest for a while. But this antagonism will speedily pass away when those owners find that this step will m the end prove the means of enhancing the value of the property so dealt with. It will be observed that it is only intended to bring the made streets and footpaths under the provisions of the Clause above quoted. This fact alone quite justifies the Council m making the present move, as it is well-known that a large sum is required for expenditure almost immediately, the principal part of which will be devoted to making new streets and footpaths. Supposing that the Council had, previous to this expenditure, omitted to introduce this fencing Clause, the want of some such provision would soon become apparent by the excessive sum annually required to keep the streets m repair. By the introduction of this system the expense of repairs will be reduced to a minimum. Another very important fact arises m connection with the introduction of this new measure, which is this : By the fencing of all sections so situated, a large amount of. foreign capital will be introduced into the district annually ; this will of a necessity be expended m labor and m the purchase of materials for fencing operations. Those can all be supplied on the spot, and the employment so given will be the means of doing something towards the improvement of the district.