THE PIT-FALL IN ALBERT STREET. To the Editor of the Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1294, 7 February 1860, Page 4

THE PIT-FALL IN ALBERT STREET. To the Editor of the Southern Cross.

1 Sir, — Allow ino a, small spare in your columns for a , few remarks on the above mentioned dangerous trap for I the destruction of our fellow colonists m life or limb. I Having occasion to visit Albert-street yesterday I obberved that the excavation near Smale's Point is quite unguaided by any kind of fence, and having precipitous sides of horn fifteen to fifty feet deep is of course extremely dangerous to those who may be passing that way in the dark. Already two serious accidents have been occasioned by it, one man having had his leg broken, and another, within the last few days, having fallen in and had his thigh bone broken, besides "receiving other serious bodily injuries. Though botli these accidents happened to men who were drunk at the 1 time, yet we may hope that even drunkards ate not out of the pale of humanity, and thus, instead of leaving traps for their destruction, we should rathor aim at lessening the risks to which their besetting sin subjects them. I am, however, credibly informed tha» a respectable settler, perfectly sober, fell into this pit one night lately, and though he escaped with no greater damage than bruises and contusions which have disabled him for a time from following his usual pursuits, yet such lucky accidents are not to be expected in future ; and, unless a fence is put up, it is almost certain that some unfortunate passenger will lose his ljfe ere long. Having brought this grievance before the public I hope those who are responsible for the evil will, without delay, provide the proper remedy ; or, should they neglect to do so, that the public will take the matter up, and compel those who are in fault to do their duty. If necessary a public subscription might be provided for law expenses, to which I shall be happy to contribute, and I trust the life of a fellow creature will be considered worth ji few pounds. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Crvis. January 27, 1860. P.S. — The above was written about a week ago, as the date will show, aud was presented by me to the editor of another Auckland journal, to which I am a subscriber, but he has not thought proper to insert it in either of the two numbers since published. During the present weeV a man has been killed by a fall from *, cliff near Smale's Point. lam informed that this accident occurred on private property, the man falling from an allotment down on to the beach below. I imagine, however, that a fall from public property down to the road, some forty or fifty feet below, would be equally fatal, and that accidents of this sort are more likely to occur in a, public thoroughfare than on private property. February 4, 1860. [What is the use of commenting upon such questions, at present. Unless the new Council manifest a disposition to do their duty — which we do not doubt, as yet, no change will be effected. Any representation of this nature is met by the stupid but incessant cry that the Government is being "run down," and with the Government, the Province. — Ed.]