BEACH STREET.

West Coast Times, Issue 362, 20 November 1866, Page 3

BEACH STREET.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.) Sir — We in Hokitika have now been blessed for some months with the reality of that long-aspired-after and honorable institution — a Municipal Corpoi-ation, and I think it is time to ask the question — What is that body doing towards the improvement of tliis town? It is true the Town Clerk and Town Surveyor have been chosen, and salaries fixed, a room has been hired for the sittings, Committees of Financo and Public Works formed, and rate assessors appointed ; but, while giving credit for the prompt performance of these and other arduous preliminaries, I think the public justly feel surprised that measures were not taken long ago to improve the worst streets and abate some of the most intolerable nuisances. A good deal was said in former days against the Improvement Committee, and about certain delay in carrying out the objects for which that body existed ; but, when I look back on what they did effect in a short space of time, with voluntary contributions collected from door to door as their only funds, it seems to me great credit is due to all the members who composed it. One of the last efforts of that body was to call for tenders foe the formation of Beach street, and that reproach to the town might now be a busy and habitable thoroughfare had the committee had the power to collecT. rates. The amount required was, if I recollect aright, only L 250 for the formation of a street similar to Wharf afreet. Money enough, however, could not be collected, though efforts were made, and the inhabitants had to comfort themselves with the hope that there would soon be a Municipal Council, and of course it would be all right then. Instead of being all right, Beach street is in a worse state than ever it was, and may cost a larger sum of money to make — all the more reason to do it at once. Shall I take the liberty, Sir, to guide you to the south-west end of the town, and tell you what you will see there ? To do so on paper I feel "will not be trespassing too much on your well known courtesy, so I take your leave to be kindly granted. Start from the corner of the Empire Hotel — looking down the right-of-way to the beach, find yourself on the brink of a deep pool of muddy water, and woi'se ingredients which need not be named. This pool stretches the whole length of the right-of-way, and washes the fence on both sides. Here you prepare to turn back till you spy at one side, just abovo the level of the pool, and of the same color, a narrow plank. Perhaps you fondly imagine that that plank was provided by the thoughtful care of the public guardians to get you temporarily out of the difficulty ? It is not so ! No Councillor put that plank there ! Step thsreon, please, and hold on by the top of the fence ! Never mind its being covered with mud splashes; better that than slip! When half way, the fact that 500 or 600 persons pass and repass daily on that narrow board is suddenly brought back to youv recollection by the 6ight of two or three of them coming to meet you. Keep close into the fence and allow them to pass round your body ! You may consider yourself lucky if a dray or a couple of loose horses do not come through, at the same time covei'ing you with mud from top to toe. You have now reached Beach 6treet — an undulating ground with shallow pools of mud on the higher parts and deep pools of stagnant filth in the hollows. No footpaths here — not even a plank — so you wade through it all. And now the first glance will show you how cleverly are turned to account the peculiarities of this street. Pigs, litters of young pigs, flocks of gee3e and goslings, have literally possession of its length and breadth. 'Horses rathor shun it now on account of the wet and mud, so you may not be fortunate enough to see more than half a dozen or so at a tnno, careering at a gallop through thick and thin. As for the pigs and geese, I sometimes reflect on the merry season coming, and wonder how

many moi*e will be here fattening, on the week before Christmas. Having guided you so far in this direction, Sir, I would much like to show you the other right of way, reserved on the new map of the town, alongside of Messrs Spence Bros.' store; to take you to the river brink and measure the proposed thoroughfare through to Rovellstreet, of the magnificent width of half a chain, as I am anxious to know if two diuys could pass the'-eon without one falling into the water; to walk a few steps with you, and find what has become of all the horses aforementioned. These I must however roluctantly leave for some future time. Mr Editor, I will again ask you with all due respect to that body, why does the Council allow Beach street to remain in such a state ? Were there more crying abuses to remedy, and being remedied, I would say let this unfortunate street take its turn ; but I maintain there exists not here a more crying evil than this, nor are any other great abuses being attendod to. Much has been said about funds not being available. Surely contractors will be glad to tender for. the urgent works, to bo paid either out of the rates when colled ed or whenever the Finance Committee perfect arrangements with their bankers. One firm here, lam told, has offered publicly to take the contract for Beach street on these terms. At all events tenders might be called for to find out if contractors will accept the best terms the Council is in a position to give. Sucli a step would not be out of place, even of taking precedence of such matters as, Pi ojects for Artesian Wells, Asphalting Revell street Footpaths, Gas or Drainage — for what can be more necessary than the rendering of one of the central streets of Hokitika habitable ? I must apologise for this trespass on the space in your valuable columns, and am, Sir, Yours obediently, A Citizen. Hokitika, Nov. 19, 1866.