The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 471, 28 January 1881, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28.

ThV. Mayor of Christchurch must be ;i -cuius. Hi; has undo an astounding

discov.'i-y, and is not atraid to announce it to the world Li!;.' other di-eoverers, he w.il very likely only incur obloquy through its means, but there is hope for even the most straight-laced, humbugloving, hypocritical city in the world while it bas such a man for its chief magistrate. It appears that in the very heart of tlie Cathedral City—nay, almost under the shadow of the cathedra] itself—there exists an establishment, yclept tho " Coffee Palace." The proprietor of this establishment devotes himself to providing for the wants hungry humanity, and supplies " mea's at all hours." The proprietor aforesaid, not having the fe<u- ot that eminent Christian, Charles It., of blessed memory, before his eyes, but being thereto instigated by—tlie example of Wicked Marks, has actually been making a practice of supplying hungry humanity—dreadful to relate—on Sundays. It appears that the building in which these nefarious practices have been carried on, and in which hungry humanity has thus refreshed itself, " contrary to tho statute," is under the direct control of the City Council. The conscript Fathers, whether judging that such practices might tend to lessen the profits of tho groat beer and gin interest, so dear to the heart of the average British vestryman ; or shocked by the sight of hungry humanity entering boldly by an open front door, instead of slinking in orthodox British Sabbath fashion through a back yard ; or from some other equally inscrutable cause, feel themselves constrained to move in the matter, and endeavor to crush such a crying scandal. We are, therefore, not in the least surprised to learn that at a late meeting of the Council Councillor Lambert moved—" That the proprietor of the Coffee Palace be informed that he will not be allowed to open on Sundays." On the motion we find the Mayor expressing himself as follows:— <( 'lhe Mayor thought the question was one deserving very careful consideration. People could not do without meals on the Sunday."

Bravo, Mr Mayor ! You have, as we before remarked, made a startling discovery, and you evidently have to a certain extent the courage of your opinions. That profound remark, "that people could not do without meals on Sunday,''

ought to set Cr Lambert and his friends flunking, and if men who would wish by force to prevent others from obtaining meals on that clay can only be induced to think at all, who knows what good may not result therefrom ?