A RAMBLE ROUND THE TOWN.

Southland Times, Issue 927, 3 April 1868, Page 5

A RAMBLE ROUND THE TOWN.

(BY A COBBESPOtfDENT.) It is now two years or more since I last had the opportunity of taking a quiet ramble through the town and i suburbs of Invercargill. On the first occasion of my visiting the various localities, I must confess that the impression I formed of the town and people, was far from being satisfactory. In every direction deserted houses, dilapidated ! looking cottages, and slovenly apologies for gardens, were nearly all that could be seen. True, that in the main streets there were a few fine buildings, but they i were very few and far between. The Government Oflices were dingy and gloomy looking, the Banks and other business premises bore the appearance of being neglected and uncared for; in every direction signs of departed greatness were painfully conspicuous. It was, on the whole, about as unprepossing a scene as I had ever witnessed. Houses were jumbled together as though every inch of land was of extraordinary value, a large numberof which were deserted, and presented the appearance of speedily falling into a state of hopeless decay,

windows broken, roofs half blown away, ( garden fences down and patched up in ' the most careless manner imaginable. Every man you meet had an elongated visage, a disconted frown, and a deep horse growl of disatisfaction at the G-o---vernment, the railways, the people, in short the world in general. I must ' confees that the lethagic fever and grumbling cough I felt to be infectious, and it induced a desire for a change of scene for I the benefit of my health and pocket. Invercargill of 1868 is unlike that of 1865. During these two years it has ceased to be considered a sort of colonial Siberia to live in which would be an adequate punishment for any crime. It has now become a liveable if not an enjoyable place. The houses for the most part have been redressed, or removed to other more prominent parts of the town. The ' process of consolidation has been steadily going on, and its straggling appearance has been much altered. The town is rapidly approaching that of a compact well-to-do capital of a progressing province. The elongated visages no longer haunt you like a nightmare, the growl of discontent is hushed, and the aspect of reviving energy and contentment becoming a characteristic of the inhabitants, suggestive of the maxim, labor omnia vincit. The changes that bave been made are to numerous to be particularised, but a few that I perceive are evidently recent and others that are being made deserve more than a passing notice. Among the most conspicuous is the New Bank of Otago at the west end of Tay-street. I say new although it may not be exactly correct, as a portion of the old buildiug still remains; the alterations have been so extensive and artistic that no one who had beeu absent like myself for two years could possibly recognise it as the unprepossessing establishment that formerly existed. It is a handsome structure, a building that, would be a credit to any town in New Zealand, its frontage is most imposing. The design is .bold and ornamental, giving the idea of substantiality and extensive accommodation, although perhaps not of any particular style of architecture. There has been other improvements made in this street, notwithstanding that several business men, I find, have removed from thence to the present commercial centre — Deestreet. The improvements made on the Presbyterian Church Eeserve are most observable. The whole section has been substantially fenced, and the ground that was rugged and unsightly levelled and laid out, gravel walks made, English grass and clover sown, and the whole is now covered, as by a carpet, with luxuriant verbage. Nearly opposite to the church; at the corner of Ythan-street, an extensive two story house is being erected by Mr Eobertson, which, when finished, will fill up a gap, and greatly add to the appearance of the street. On the opposite corner the Farmer's Arms Hotel, known, when I took my last ramble as the "Three Bells," and which I understand was for a time closed, puts in a smiling appearance; it has been repainted and decorated by the present proprietor, Mr M'ELay. Other improvements have been made in this street sufficient to prove that it will be one of the chief streets in the town — that although Dee-street is the central for business, Tay-street will scarcely occupy a second a place. The most extensive building or reconstructing operations that I have remarked, are in Dee-street. Here I find the weather-beaten, miserable looking clump of buildings, formerly surrounded by bog and tussock, known as the Government buildings, rendered respectable though unostentatious ofiices, the paddock being well fenced, drained, and the swamp and tussock converted into a fine green sward. I next notice that the Sottthlaitd Times .office has been considerably enlarged and extended since I last visited it, and I must say it is now a well arranged commodious . office, equal to most of those used by the proprietors of daily papers in the neighbouring colonies. Another great improvement noticeable is the transformation of the auction shed of Mr Munro into an attractive boot and shoe warehouse, by Mr Kingsland. There has been universal improvement made in this street. Tradesmen of every class have painted, altered, or enlarged. Hotels that on my last visit were closed and dilapidated have been reopened, with the appearance of newness scarcely imaginable, and others converted into dwelling-houses. To turn from this and wander along Spey-street. The change is wonderful. It now possesses buildings and gardens of a high class. When I first visited it was a sea of mud, the few houses it contained were vacant, the fences broken down and everything wearing the aspect of utter desolation ; but now new and extensive buildings have been erected, the old St. Paul's school- ! room enlarged and converted into a fine and commodious Wesleyan Church, a large building has been erected by Mr Fredrick, as a cabinet making manufactory, handsome cottages have been built, ground fenced in and cultivated and above all the whole, or nearly the whole of the vacant cottages renovated, and substantially enclosed. The changes that have been made are great to an extent that few would believe, who did not critically compare the present appearance of the various localities mentioned as they were in 1865, and what they are in 1868.