Something Doing.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 759, 21 December 1908, Page 2

Something Doing.

The man in the street was not so far out the other day, after all, when lie prophesied that something would be doing at the next meeting, <>t •he Borough COW»CJJ, and thai <•« rc;:orb with "something in it" would bo brought down. Readers had tho opportunity of reading that report in Friday night's Star. It was broui>J>i /'.own by the Staffs Committee, and v.:t, a worth-while report. There was vigour and virility in it, sdso strong meat for men, and enough written- between t?ie lines to convince oven tho most sceptical that a charge of dynamite was necessary to achieve things in this town. It was astonishing to find how some points in the report were cavilled at by some of tho Councillors. The Committee presented a way out of a cul-de-sac, and yet there were objectors who persisted in bumping their heads against the brick-wall of obstinacy. Oi' course, there are Councillors who know a great deal more of tho possibilities of a policy of Taihoa ; but all that wo can see is this important fact : There are numerous works that need doing, the Council asked ratepayers whothor they should be done, the people said Yes with an emphatic vote at the polls, the money was raised — and ithas been as idle as the luio-mployc ■! these months past. But the Stan's Committee got its new scheme adopted — but only by tho casting vote of the Maj'or — and now wo may see something doing. One good resolution adopted h:;s a very important bearing on tho future well-being of the town. The resolution, from the Committee, reads as follows: "That applications for position of building inspector be advertised for, the remuneration to be the permit fees charged under the by-laws." No man who desires to look further ahead of time than tho day beforo yesterday should oppose the inspection of buildings. There are many people, we know, who are opposed to inspection of any kirn] — the very word is anathema; but that is only sheer prejudice, anl does not allow for circumstances altering cases. Upon the stability, durability, and general appearance of its houses is a town judged; and that town is wise which avoids a verdict of condemnation. The Engineer assured the Council that more power to deal with the inspection of new buildings was required. To have a suspicion of jerrybuilding in the town is a state of tilings to be avoided. Carele.se building leads to the creation of slums, and slums are tho sore places of a city that should not be brought into a fine country centre such as Feilding is to be made when our City Fathers are all alive to tho true position. The town to-day seems to be the subject of contention between the Retrogrades and the Progressives, and meanwhile we must "mark time."