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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 9, 9 December 1862, Page 2

We perceive tbat the Town Board has acted with vigor and promptitude in effecting improvements both sanitary and otherwise. The Provincial Surgeon, in the report laid upon the table of the Provincial Council at its last sitting, called the attention of the Government to the immediate necessity of draining the town northwards of Tay-street. The Civil Engineer had the proper levels taken and submitted them to the Board, the Government at the same time offering them the means of carrying out the workj and they, with a promptitude highly commendable, commenced this most necessary of all municipal works, pushing it on with such vigor that already many a pool has ceased to exist.

This is the more flattering to us, as InvercargiU, in its young existence, has done what her older sister (Dunedin) has not yet accomplished, a neglect and delay which has already carryed its tex--rihle consequences to many a fireside of that thickly populated city. Nor is the drainage the only subject which has engaged the attention of the Board ; the opening up of the various streets in the bush has not only contributed to the sanitary welfare of the inhabitants, but has greatly enhanced the value of property, while the improvement in the appearance of the town is beyond conception. Houses are not only being brought to light, the existence of which would not have been suspected by a stranger, but their inhabitants can get to them with some degree of comfort. In walking through parts of the town we have noticed the depth of the open drains, which are in some instances at least four feet, and contain a good deal of water. We believe it is not the intention of the Board to cover them when completed, but this we can hardly suppose to be correct.

We trust that the Board will not forget to take all necessary precautions against fire — notmerely in the purchase of a fire engine, and the establishment of a Brigade — but in providing a suffi. cient supply of water to enable U to be of use, should circumstances necessitate it. We notice at a recent fire in Dunedin, notwithstanding that three engines were quickly on the spot, there was only sufficient water to keep one goin» for half-an-hour, the second a few minutes, while the third could not be used at all : thus with engines and men on the spot, a large amount of property was sacrificed, owing to the inadequate supply of water — for all accounts concur in stating that had there been enough of it, the fire could have been easily extinguished. As regards Invercargill, a plentiful supply could be readily obtained by sinking a deep well at each corner of Blocks 2, 0, 11, 12, and 13, fronting Tay-street, which are the most thickly built on. Whilst on the subject of general improvements, we might also mentiou that there is at present a great want which could be supplied by the Town Board, and we do not think it would be outstepping its functions by taking action in this matter: we mean a Town Hall, or a room of sufficient size to accommodate the public on any occasion more than ordinary. Such a building might be erected on one of the Municipal sections, the cost of it would be from 1,500?. to to 2,000/., and it would pay good interest on the outlay. For that money there might be a good two-storey buildingerected, having two rooms 80 by 40, together with four smaller rooms as ante-chambers, &c. Doubtless the Government would be only too glad to rent the lower room during the sitting of the Provincial Council, and we think the Board would not have much difficulty in raising the money for such a purpose, while the profits resulting from the investment would soon enable, them to repay the loan.