New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4344, 20 February 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1875.

We have no wish to anticipate the dis-cussion-upon the Mayor’s financial statement, which is to be made on Tuesday next, nor for the matter of that, have we the faintest idea of the proposition which his Worship intends to submit to the City Council, but we certainly feel constrained to press upon our civic rulers the imperative necessity that exists for making arrangements to carry out a comprehensive system of sanitary works in this municipality. It is impossible to push the unpleasant fact out.of sight, that Wellington, notwithstanding its naturally healthy position and bracing climate, is by no means a healthy place. The vital statistics of the Registrar-General prove the fact conclusively. And the reason why is not far to seek. We have simply ignored all sanitary laws, with a reckless disregard of consequences which must bring its own punishment with it, unless the errors of the past are speedily atoned for by the expenditure of a large sum of money in drainage and other sanitary works.

We may be told that the comparative statistics do not show so ill, from year’s end to year’s end, for Wellington; and that there are other places in the colony quite as unhealthy, and as badly off as it is for drainage. But such a plea cannot be accepted in justification of the culpable neglect of those who, in times past, controlled the affairs of this city. The Provincial authorities were undoubtedly the greatest sinners of all. They practically did nothing to make Wellington. Like Torsv, in the story, it “grow’d,” and they profited by its growth ; but the fostering care of the Provincial Government, in the progress and development of the city of Wellington, is conspicuous ' only by its absence. We do not take into account the wharf or reclamation. Both of these have been sources of profit to the provincial authorities ; they have been sold to the city, and no part of the purchasemoney, has found its way back again to the municipality; therefore, we are justified in treating that account as balanced. The city has certainly had the benefit of the prisoners’ labour, but on the other hand, by finding the hard-labor men employment out of doors, where the working gangs could be easily overlooked, it relieved the province from the necessity of building a suitable prison, nearly all that was required, under the circumstances, being secure cells in which the prisoners could be locked up for the night. So the prison-labor item may likewise be struck out of the bill of particulars against the city. ' And when that has been done, what remains 1 Nothing, —absolutely nothing. Wellington city has had less done for it by its Provincial Government than any other provincial capital in the colony. If we look to Dunedin, wo find that, although underground drainage has been neglected hitherto, the Provincial Government took care to endow the Corporation so liberally that an extensive system of sewerage has been begun, and will be carried out: without any great tax upon the ratepayers of the city. Moreover, the want has not been much felt hitherto owing to the; excellent surface drainage, caused by the natural water courses passing dowri several main streets. These city endowments in Dunedin, we should remark, are quite independent of the Town Belt, which was reserved at the foundation of the settlement, and on which the native timber has' been'carefully preserved. The Provincial Council of Otago has voted £2,000 for its improvement, and we have little doubt that ultimately the Town Belt of Dunedin will be one of the most charming public recreation grounds in the Southern hemisphere. The Wellington Provincial Government had not the power to grant, such reserves within the City for municipal purposes even if it had the will ; but steps certainly might have been taken to preserve some of the fine timber on the Town Belt, the last clump of which, by the way, was wantonly burned the other day. The Canterbury Government has been very considerate towards Christchurch, which it has improved in many ways. Even in its hist session the Canterbury Provincial Council voted a considerable sura ■ in aid of city rates for street repairs;—an act of liberality in marked contrast with the Wellington Provincial Government, which failed to pay the old Town Board of Wellington the stipulated amount towards the maintenance of the main line of thoroughfare, while appropriating to itself all the tolls. Then, if we turn to Nelson, we find the streets formed, and a sufficient water supply laid, on by the province, although latterly an arrangement has. been come to by which the expenditure on the water-works has been made a municipal charge. But the fact remains that the work was.done by the province in the first instance, and that the city of Nelson enjoyed the benefit of it for several years. Auckland, however, is the most conspicuous example of careful nurture by its provincial rulers. Notwithstanding the warm and humid atmosphere of the northern capital, it will be, within a very few years—thanks to the fostering care of the Provincial Government, and to the intelligent action of its civic rulers—the most healthful and the best managed municipality in any of the Australasian colonies. We say this advisedly and with a full knowledge of the facts. The main sewer, on the present level, was begun by the Provincial Government some sixteen years ago; it was continued by the old Town Board, and completed by the City Council, who are now well forward with the secondary system of sewers. The chief defect was, that the outfall of the main sower was at the town end of Queen-street wharf, which prevented the tidal scour, and created an abominable stench at low water ; but then, Wellington distributes quite as bad a smell pretty equally over the city, and when one is fortunate enough to escape being half-suffocated as ho returns from the theatre or other public entertainment, by a passing night-cart, ho is certain to bo pretty well sickened before traversing half the length of Lambtonquay from the perpetual stinks that are there encountered. The City Council of Auckland likewise employ a sufficient number of scavengers to sweep the streets clean, and remove the rubbish every morning before business hours, and the ’footpaths aro kept clean by business people opposite their respective premises. Besides, in all the now streets formed by the Improvement Commissioners, drains have been constructed, connecting with the main sewer. .Now, all (his coat

money, but the money was principally found by the province, the city having been relieved of its special debt, although very richly endowed, through the munificent liberality of the Auckland Provincial Council. As a result—one of several we might mention—the City Council of Auckland has been able to go to London for £IOO,OOO to provide awatersupply, and has had the amount subscribed nearly four times overat 6 per cent. The source of supply is the Western Springs, about two miles from the city. These springs are capable of supplying two million gallons of pure water daily the year round. Tne importance of this water supply, in connection with the nearly perfect sewerage system, on the future sanitary condition of Auckland, cannot easily bo overestimated.

We have gone into these details to show what is being done by other leading to wns in New Zealand, by way of contrast to what is not being done in the Capital of the Colony. Our civic rulers may depend upon it that if this city is to retain its preeminence' in New Zealand, it must cease to be the worst managed municipality in it. But that it is so must be apparent to anyone acquainted with other New Zealand towns. Except a scanty water supply, nothing has been done to promote the health andcomfortof the community. A thorough system of drainage is required ; an increased water supply is absolutely demanded ; baths and washhouses should be erected in short, it should be within the reach of every one to “live cleanly and keep one’s temper;” —a feat almost impossible to accomplish in this Empire City. Population is rapidly crowding into the town, the breathing spaces are being builti upon, and without a thorough system of house and underground drainage, mortality must largely increase. - Under these circumstances, we trust the City Council will devote their best energies towards repairing the evil that many years of supreme neglect have entailed upon this community.