CITY IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW BUILDINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 284, 17 November 1862, Page 6

CITY IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW BUILDINGS.

•The improvement in the appearance of the city of Dunedin has latterly been more markedly perceptible than at any previous period of its history. This rapid improvement in appearance has not been so much due to the fact of an unusual quantity of new work, public or private, being undertaken, as to the circumstanve of- a variety of works commenced some weeks or months back simultaneously, approaching completion. In the matter of public work, falling within the province of the town authorities, we have to notice the progress of several important cuttings and earthworks, the effect of which, when completed, will be materially to alter thorough and rugged character of a town built upon more hills than Rome ; and which, even in their present unfinished state, by opening up the view from one part of the town to another, have given connection to what were before almost distinct neighborhoods. The most immediately important of these works—the cutting in Princes-street — is not exactly a new work, for it was some time ago completed to the extent of cutting a roadway in the line of the street, to connect the southern with the northern part of the town. At the time that work was done, the northern portion of Dunedin partook more of the character of a suburb than of an integral part of the town ; but since the gold discoveries the town has been steadily extending in that direction, and " the cutting " has formed a strait or passage absolutely murking the distinction between north and south. This narrow way, barely wide enough for two carriages to pass, has for a long time been a source of annoyance and even of danger; latterly, however, laborers have been busily employed in widening the cutting to the breadth of the street, on the part of the local authorities ; and, on the part of the proprietors of property on either side, in excavating to the street line ; and as fast as portions are cleared, shops are being erected, so tlvit in a short time, Princes-street, will extend in an unbroken Jine from north to south, and the dangers of the cutting be only known as things of the past. Other works of a similar character have been going on elsewhere, and notably in High-street, where a cutting of considerable depth has had to be made. A somewhat absurd blunder was made in this street. The contractor, misdirected by the City Surveyor, was carrying the cutting nine feet too deep. It will be well understood that a work in which such an error could occur must be of some magnitude. Fortunately the blunder was discovered before it was past correction, and the road again raised ; the surveyor being dismissed from his office.

While the Town Board has been occupied with these and similar works, the Government has been engaged in others of a more extensive nature. Dunedin is, as many of our English readers may be aware, situate at the extreme head of an arm of the sea. In front of the town the beach' is very shelving, a great portion of.it being little more than a°mud Hat covered at high water. It had long been in contemplation to extend the town, and get rid of an eyesore, by enclosing and raising a considerable portion of this land between high and low water marks ; but partly from lack of authority and partly from lack of means, the work was not commenced. Lately, however, both authority and means have been obtained, and a plan has been agreed upon for the enclosure of over a hundred acres, partly as building sites and partly as docks and wharves. A portion only of this work has, in the first instance, been commenced, the effect of which will be to reclaim about ten acres. For this purpose, the lines of two or three streets are being extended into the bay with solid earthwork, the material for which is afforded partly by the tree cuttings, and partly by the demolition of Bell Hill, a picturesque hill which jute into the bay, being the extremity of the spur through which the Princesstreet cutting has had to be carried. The levelling of this beautiful hill is viewed with regret by many, who have, been in the habit of priding themselves upon it as one of the chief ornaments of the town ; but it can scarcely be regarded a3 other than an improvement in a strictly utilitarian point of view. It is expected that the sale of the land thus reclaimed will more than pay for the expense incurred. Another public work of some importance is the drainage of the swampy land set apart for a recreation ground. This work is only lately commenced, but should it be successfully accomplished, it will have the effect of converting what has' hitherto been an almost useless swamp, into goo \ meadow land, suitable for cricket or other manly games, and will thus convert what was threatened to bo of danger to public health, into an -important sanitary agent.

The laying of asphalte or stone pavements throughout the principal streets of the town, has greatly added to the appearance of the place, and as at the same time substantial stone gutters are being laid, it is confidently anticipated that, Dunedin will never again be in the same impassable state from mud as last winter. Still the gutters only supply a surface drainage, and it is felt that a pood system of underground drainage is required. At present it is true there are some underground drain for a few of the principal streets, but there 13 no attempt at a regular system. Since our last Summary the Town Board has appointed a duly qualified professional man as city engineer, and it is therefore to be hoped that these requirements will soon be seen to. Duuedin is likely soon to be supplied with gas. Already the Gas Company have their pipes down in several streets, and they are rapidly laying them down in others. It is expected that the gas will be laid on within three months' timo all over the city. The subject of water supply is still in abeyance, but it is to be hoped that the good start made by the Gas Cjmpany may serve to encourage the formation of a Watc Company. la some respects Dunedin offers great facilities for water supply, there being in the surrounding-hills many small streams, the waters of which could be dammed back, so as to form reservoirs at high levels.

Of public buildings, the most important now in progress are tho Custom House and the High School. Tho former, a plain and substantial structure, is being built close to. the water, and to front the bay. The material is. principally stone, tho facade being formed of Hobart Town freestone, imported for the purpose. The High School, which occupies a conspicuous situation on one of the hills, has more architectural pretensions, being Grecian in style, and adorned with a portico which has a very good effect. The Church of England has made but little progress since out last.

With regard to private buildings, ye have to note the completion of some of considerable dimensions since our last, besides a host of miuor erections, which, although a credit to the town, are not of sufficient importance to demand special mention. Among the more iniportant may be noticed the large new store of Messrs Dalgety, Rattray and Co., built in brick and stone, and fitted up internally more like a bank than a merchant's office; the handsome stone building of Mr Herman, on the same block, but fronting Princes-street, "and ranging with the fine stone buildings: of Messrs. Jones, and Williamson. The block upon which the buildings of Messrs. Dalgefcty, Batlray, and Co.,

Of mere shop architecture, plate glass fronts, &c, we have taken no account, as'handsome shop fronts are becoming the rule instead of the exception.