WELLINGTON STREETS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4152, 11 July 1874, Page 3

WELLINGTON STREETS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The state of the Terrace just opposite Mr. Burne’s house is positively a disgrace to the Town of Wellington. The road has been allowed to ■ get worse and worse mouth after month, until now it is in such a deplorable condition that residents, who are heavily rated by the Town Council, are unable to have the necessaries of life, viz., fuel and other articles carted to their doors. This state of things is unquestionably brought about through downright neglect and carelessness. Bor a considerable time this road has been a miserable sight, owing to large heaps of earth having been allowed to remain on either side after the water pipes were laid, instead of being carted away at once ; but had a few loads of shingle been put down in time, the road would have been at least passable, and no great inconvenience caused. How can the inhabitants of Wellington wonder that remarks are made by visitors to the Empire City (especially at this time), about our behindhaudedness, when the authorities can permit a road that is in the heart of the town, and in a most conspicuous position, to remain in such a condition as to make it really dangerous to both man and beast. Moreover, I consider that should any great flow of water pass over that particular part where the deep rents and holes have formed, the whole cutting at the back of the houses on the' beach below would be endangered. The Council can vote large extra sums of money in the most reckless and extravagant manner when quite uncalled for ; but when it comes to work which is absolutely needful for the comfort of the inhabitants and the credit of the City, it is put off and delayed till at last it becomes necessary to spend a large sum on work that, if taken in time, would have been trifling. I may add, in conclusion, that in the dusk of last evening a gentleman, who was evidently unacquainted with the few dry spots by which this road is crossed, was seen suddenly to disappear up to the middle in the largest hole, and it was only after lighting several luoifers to ascertain his whereabouts, and struggling violently, that he extricated himself. I will leave you to imagine the state of his lower garments. I sincerely hope he was not going to a dinner party, and, above all, that he was not a member.—Yours, &c., A Ratepayer.