TOWN IMPROVEMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1236, 12 April 1870, Page 3

TOWN IMPROVEMENT.

(TO THB BDITOB OP THB TIMES.)

Sir, — T have been a resident of Inver. cargill for some years, and it has often been a source of astonishment to me that so little has" been done by the citizens and landholders towards the improvement of the town. "How often do we see passengers by the different steamers coming up by railway from the Bluff to take a passing look at the town, and how often do we hear their just but at the same time very painful and contemptuous expressions about the dreary, forlorn, tumble-down condition and aspect of the place, its empty houses and its vacant and unfenced town sections, &c, &c, and how injurious to the welfare of the town and Province must be the bad impression that they take away with them, and the bad character that they must of necessity give to it when speaking about it to their friends and acquaintances in other parts of this and the neighboring colonies ? And then again how very many travellers or commercial gents pay this place a visit in the course of their business transactions, and how mischievous must be the account that they- give to their friends about it, &c. Is it not Lord Byron, or some other equally great statesman, that says, " What's in a name ? v But if his Lordship had some property in Invercargill for sale, or wished to raise money upon it by mortgage, I think he would soon find out whether there was anything in a name or not. No, sir ; there is something in a name, for a much wiser man than him has said that " a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." But, sir, could not something be done by the citizens themselves towards remedying the manifest evil to which I have alluded. Is it impossible to revive the town board, or could not the charter of a municipality be obtained ? Might not a small tax be laid upon the unoccupied town sections for the purpose of making the owners thereof either fence in or let to those who would do so ? Might not the prison labor be properly and systematically utilized, and the central parts of the town made to look neat, and at least respectable, and might not portions of the town belt be fenced into paddocks and planted with gum trees here and there to make a little shelter ? Surely something might be done towards such a desirable end ; and I now call upon you, sir, to awaken my slumbering fellow-citizens, and point out to them the very great folly that they are chargeable with in respect to this Tery important question. — I am, &c, L.S.D. Invercargill, April 9th.