HASTINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8332, 8 April 1889, Page 3

HASTINGS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) April 5, 1889. The proceedings of the Borough Council last night disclosed twosatisfactory facts — — firstly, that some much-needed work in the formation of roads is going to be done, and, secondly, that we have enough money to do it with and leave a balance

to the good. It will be especially good news to the dwellers in and near Riverslearoad, who iv ihe. matter of expenditure have been " left out in the cold (not to say mud), that that road is to be metalled from Sanders-road to Elni-road, and as that road also is to bo metalledthere will thus be a continuous and practicable road into the town.

i Of course a debate on sanitary matters would not be complete without his Worship's little lecture on the inillenium which is to lm brought about by " the extension of the sewage system." Directly we hear this dread phrase, tlie mystic " Abracadabra" with which our magician would weave his spells, we know what is coming and silently offer up short but fervent prayers for patience. It is but just, however, to our chief to admit that whereas he used at first to get his tongue in a tangle, as it were, in wrestling with his subject, he has now by dint of frequent practice become perfect in this speech, which he speaks as "trippingly" as Hamlet himself conld wish. Inasmuch, however, as "variety is charming," I sliall he happy to arrange the theme as a patter-song for his Worship to sing when occasion offers.

I doubt whether Christopher Columbus on his voyage to America studied his charts with the intense anxiety that possessed some of our Councillors as they pored over the plan of Hastings, in order to locate the proposed three or six lamps. Why should I disguise the fact? Our Councillors ara but human beings, and not angels — as yet — and each wished to bask in the beams of the coveted luminaries as much as possible. I venture, however, to offer a solution of the difficulty. Let the additional lamps (whicli must in this case be oil lamps) be mounted on wheels so that the nightwatchman may wheel them to the residence of each Councillor on successive nights. Thus will each man get his fair share. "And the public?" My good fellow, dou't ask impertinent questions.