A SUGGESTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4980, 12 April 1889, Page 4

A SUGGESTION.

Sib, —Our Mayor and Borough Councillors are worthy of all praise for the efforts they have been making to improve the pavements in the borough by asphalting, etc. But is the asphalting of a narrow strip the most necessary or most useful mode of expending the funds ? Would it not bo much better to have the kerbing and channelling of all the streets done first ? And if the council wore to undertake that, they might leave the asphalting to be done by the proprietors, or by rate after the kerbing and channelling were completed. My reason for advocating the kerbing and channelling being done first, is from a health point of view chiefly. At present the grass growing in the channelling causes an accumulation of the solid matter in the waste water, raising bad smells and breeding gems of disease. Even when there is no grass allowed to grow, the sediment from the waste water falls into the bottom of the gutter and lies there, besides the soaking in of waste water into the gutters, causing , the bad smells. If there were kerbing and channelling everything could be kept sweet and pleasant by flushing the channels. The concrete and cement channelling round the Post Office has proved a success and might be used in all the streets where carts are not backing up to shops, and if let in half mile or mile contracts could be taken cheaper and would give employment to plasterers and labourers out of work. Besides bfing advantageous to health, it would give an air of neatness and tidiness to our pretty little town which at present is sadly wanting. The present mode of asphalting is only adding to the ragged poverty-stricken appearance of the borough. I am, &c,, A Ratepayer.