GERRYMANDERING WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14235, 4 December 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

GERRYMANDERING WORK.

AMAZING STREET OBSTRUCTIONS IX PARIS. The' Paris Municipal Commission of Technical Control has made another raid on the contractors in the Seventeenth Arif semen t, where some verily astonishing examples were discovered of gerrymandering. All round the Place Clichy, which is one of the centres of the thickest traffic, they found/a "eerie* of camps in wood established, but after discussion with

the contractors they arranged for the diminution or disappearance of most of the*e within a brief period. The greatest surprise, however, wan in store in Hie Rue de Rome, where are the works of the Ouest Etat railway. Here the commission found what cannot be called anything else but email villas, buUt in the middle of the road. Through the windows could bo seen the saucepans steaming in the kitchens, whilst the entrance was guarded by a dog in hi* kennel, and a notice to "apply to the concierge." One of these

ultra-modern residences was replete with every up-to-date comfort, with diningroom

bedroom.' and water and electric light laid on. In-another the thrifty tenants havo cultivated a garden yard, -here the family linen was hanging out to dry, whilst a (hubby babe ,was shown with pride to the inspectors as the " child'" of the works on which his father and mother were married, and where next year he was born. This novel specimen of colonisation puzzled tho comlbi'gaon. which, however, determined that |t must be put a stop to, though exactly 'how'was left for future consideration.

The day's walk ended in the street of Notre Dame de Lorette, which is one of the principal routes from fashionable Paris up to Montmartre. and here the commission found a large excavation blocking the traffic, but without a single workman to lie seen. It had been deserted for months, and it appears that, whilst the men are ready to recommence work, their trade union has ordered the strike to continue, so that they Ire left idle and the works are abandoned. The commission decided that in the circumstance* there was nothing to be done but to fill up the road and let the work be begun again when feasible. It is clear, however, that if the "control of the committee is to be effective, it will have to make its rounds every day instead of onto a week or ten days. About a month ago it secured a promise" that the upset of the Boulevard de* Italiene, that had" lasted since the spring, should be remedied, and the promise was kept in- a left-handed manner. Fresh excavations were at once begun, and the last slate of the boulevard today is no better than it was in July. Until the "half-dozen different services which dig? up the streeffe*-f<jf.underground railways, water,-gas,.and electric installations are brought to systematise their*.operations it i seem* hopeless to expect much improve-' merit. . ,\