Footpath Ordnance, 12/10/48.

The Independent of the 18th October, 1848, published a notice regarding the “Footpath Ordnance” thus:—

“All that footpath which has been marked out by posts and which extends from the corner of Mr. George Scott's store in Mulgrave Street, and along Lambton Quay to the corner of Willis Street, and also that footpath now formed along the east side of Willis Street from the beach to the corner of Ghuznee Street, Town of Wellington. Any person who shall be found running, drawing, driving any truck, wheelbarrow, cart or carriage, or who shall be found riding, leading or driving any horse or any horned or neat cattle upon any such footpath as aforesaid, and shall continue so to do after being warned to the contrary, by any constable or other person. Every person so offending shall upon conviction, forfeit and pay for every such offence, the sum of £5, to be recovered in a summary way.

By his Excellency's Command,

Alfred Domett

,
Colonial Secretary.”

As yet, only the main streets in which sections were built upon, or otherwise occupied were even marked out and only one or two of the principal ones were made passable for wheeled vehicles, and except for the conveyance of heavy goods, for which dray carts drawn by bullocks were chiefly used, locomotion was much easier on foot or on horseback. No paving had as yet been attempted and the only lights besides those of shop windows before they closed, were those that the licensed publicans were required to maintain over their doors all night. (“N.Z. Journal,” 10/3/1849.)