NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6072, 8 January 1898, Page 4

NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

[From Oub Corbespondewt.] The dinner which was given by the New Brighton Council on Tuesday evening last in honour of the Mayor, was certainly the most important event that has yet taken place in the Borough since its inception. The occasion was significant, for it indicated in a mosfc practical manner the rapid growth of public feeling, and community of interest that hastakenplace. The gathering was aNew Brighton one pure and simple,not a heterogeneous collection of people who pay rates in the borough, but an assemblage of men whose interests are identical with the place, and who may be looked upon as our public men. Moreover, the occasion was suggestive of possibilities for future development, for one could not but be struck with the tone that pervaded the speeches. "So much have we done in the past," they said, "And so much more do we hope to achieve in the future," and as Councillor M'lntyre remarked in proposing the health of the guest of the evening, much of the credit for this public spirit that had arisen was due to Mr R. C. Bishop, the mayor. Mr Bishop has thrown himself with all his characteristic energy into the work, and his example has become contagious. I am not going to discuss here the pros and cons of the proposal to erect a " rockery "on the beach. There are many things that can be said in its favour, and there are many things that can be urged against it. I£ the people of New Brighton want some such structure they will have it, and no amount of obstacles will stop them. Nine hundred pounds is a big sum, however, and the residents will have to bestir themselves to get it. One thing may be said about the proposal, that ifc is only another evidence of the whole-hearted generosity of the man from whom the idea emanates. He takes one's breath away sometimes. I was glad to learn that Mr Bißhop has been able to secure some plants of the marram grass for distribution, and it is to be hoped that no effort will be spared in the attempt to cultivate its growth among our wastes of sand. It is to this that I look for the redemption of New Brighton from the reproach that has hung so long over it and kept it from the position it should occupy as a sea-side resort. I have already expressed the opinion in these columns that if the sand difficulty can be overcome, the value of land at New Brighton will rise by leaps and bounds, and every penny that is Bpent in turning those arid wastes into pleasant green stretches will be paid back many times over. This is a matter that directly affects the pockets of the ratepayers in the district, and they should, if they consult their own interests, be prepared to contribute handsomely to the work, both in money and in labour. Convert the drifting sand into green fields, and you will make New Brighton the premier wateringplace of the colony. The plants that are now available are from a stock with which the experiment was successfully carried out in Taranaki, and if it can be done in Taranaki it can be dono here. The improvement that has taken place in the state of our main thoroughfare by meaus of the water-cart recently invested in by the Council is very noticeable. The Council is not yet in the possession of a horse, and it is to the kindness of the New Brighton Tramway Company that we are indebted for the watering of Sea View Road. Every effort I think should be made by the Council to have this work continued during the summer months, for the benefit \ derived both by residents and visitors from keeping down the dust in the Sea View Road is very considerable. An objection has been urged against the expenditure, on the ground that owners of sections some distance from the main road, while having to contribute in the same proportion as property-holders adjacent thereto, do not derive the same degree of benefit. Well, I think the owners of property on Sea View Road would, if asked, be only too willing to pay an additional rate to meet the extra cost, sooner than be blinded by the clouds of dust that rise after a few dayß' dry weather. Whatever method of paying for it is adopted, the* watering should be continued. The City Guards are now going into camp iv the grounds rmostly favoured by our volunteers at New Brighton, and I hear we are shortly to have a visit from the Cadet Corps. What with detachments of our gallant defenders and the crowds|of visitors that are now coming and going, the streets present a very lively appearance. A large increase in the number of camps is also noticeable. We do not require ocular demonstration, however, to Make us aware of the presence of these erstwhile Nomads, for on every side the wheezings of that musical atrocity — the accordion — are to be heard. No sooner are you out of hearing of one than you are greeted by another. I wonder why it is that an aucordion seems always to be a necessary part of a camper's outfit. Perhaps I may be told that it is the outcome of an innate love of music among our ooloniai youth. If that is so I would recommend them to try another way of cultivating their musical tastes — the Jew's-harp, for instance. It is quieter, and does not keep anybody awake except, perhaps, the performer. The New Brighton Swimming Club is agitating for the completion of a bath on the site of the old river course. The members say it would make the best 100 yds course in New Zealand. At present the only course they have is in the river, and that only at high tide. They managed, however, on Anniversary Day to carry out a very successful series of races there, and the club evidently possesses a fine lot of swimmers among its members. It is to be hoped that they will gain their objeot and add still another fco the attractions of Brightion.