New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, July 5, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 306, 5 July 1848, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Wednesday, July 5, 1848.

The present winter has been one of the raniest experienced since the formation of the settlement, and the circumstance has, perhaps, attracted more attention from the muddy state of the* different thoroughfares in the town, owing to the remarkably calm weather which has prevailed during the last two months. The increased traffic which has sprung up, the numerous carts that ply for hire in the town, the heavy bullock drays with timber or fuel from the country districts, have also produced a sensible effect on the half formed streets, which are not in a condition to sustain the weai and tear, and all, more or less, stand in need of repair. The only means for this purpose at present is by voluntary subscription, but this must always be inadequate to the purpose, since the contributions are not ratably, according to the individual's property, but according to his inclination to promote these objects. It must therefore happen, until there is a legal authority to levy rates for making public improvements, that any attempts at mending the thoroughfares of the town will be limited and difficult to be carried out. It is for this reason we should be glad to see Municipal Institutions established in this settlement, as with good management a great deal might be effected, if those who were elected, were actuated with

a sincere desire to promote the prosperity of the town in which they are more or less interested. If, ,for example, we suppose a town i ate (assessed according to the value of property) of £1100, or the average of £1 per town acre, including native reserves, and a tax levied on carts that ply for hire ; the rate to the individual would not perhaps be so much as he is new obliged to expend in subscription, or individual improvements. As long as the tax was moderate and judiciously expended, there would be few dissentients, while it would include in its operation many who have contributed nothing towards the improvements of the town. Look at the number of town sections which still remain unoccupied, because the owners, (for the most part absentees) having nothing to pay, can afford to wait, and take advantage of any circumstance tending to give a local value or enhance their property, and so obtain higher rents. But if the power of local assessment were established, to which all owners of land and householders were obliged by law to contribute, a systematic plan for the improvement of the town might be laid down which could be carried out by degrees, and the colonist would have the satisfaction of seeing the town advance while his individual contribution would be less than it is at present, and *the land in the town would then more nearly approach its market value, a point otherwise unattainable, since the owner of it, as long as he is untaxed, in his desire to obtain a larger rental, is too often disposed to undervalue the loss arising from its remaining untenanted. When once a good beginning is made, a spirit of improvement- would be generated, which would manifest itself in a variety of ways, but which is at present dormant, perhaps for want x>f a good beginning.

Since the publication, in last Saturday's Spectator, of the list of subscriptions in aid of repairing the public thoroughfare along Lambton Quay, several additional subscriptions have been received ; in the mean time those who intend subscribing, are requested to send in their names as soon as possible, in order to complete the list of subscribers.

We understand that two additional buildings, fifty feet long and twenty-two feet wide, are to be erected at the Barracks, Te Aro, to afford increased accommodation for the soldiers. The contractor for these buildings is Mr. Wilson, who is also building a substantial gun shed, about sixty-four feet long by eighteen feet wide, immediately adjoining the Barracks ; the latter building will be finished in a few weeks.

Quantity of rain fallen during the month of June, 1848 ;—5; — 5 inches 6 tenths.