THE MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 677, 9 April 1875, Page 3

THE MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL.

—o — From tho Melbourne Correspondences letter to the Daily Times.—But indeed it is no wonder that matters go on so hadly in our cities, when we remember the class of men to whom their supervision is entrusted. \Ve have had a rather forcible illustration of their quality during the last few days. The other day tho Argus had a rather sharp loader on the negligence and carelessness of tho City Councillors on all matters concern* ing the welfare and health of tho citizens, and comparing this with their attentiveness and devotion to the festive duties which occupy so largo a part of their public proceedings. The rebuke was severe, but it is impossible to say that it was undeserved. However, the Council took up tho matter warmly. A few days afterwards the quarter!) meeting was held, and one of the members, a man named Meares, a draper, 1 believe, inßourko street, moved the su»pension of the standing orders to enable him to propose a vote of £lO a week to be given as a bribe to the “city editor” of the Argus to induce that functionary to deal more gently with the Council in|its future comments and criticisms. Mr Meares proceeded to support this ridiculous proposal in a speech of sheer 1 inacy. He mentioned incidentally that it would he a very proper thing if some member of the Council who felt himself equal to the task were to give the editor of the Argus a sound horsewhipping. Recent exposures have shown said the foolish Meares, that the city editor of the Times had accepted bribes. It followed, clear as noon day, that tie “city editor of the Argus” might he bribed also, and it was only the Council’s neglect of this precaution that had subjected it to the treatment it had endured at the hands of this unscrupulous print. He therefore recommended that the Council should vote a sufficient sum of money—£lo a week would do the .business— and mollify this libellous bribe-loving “city editor.” There a ied be no diffidence on tho subject, as the person in question was very approachable, in fact, the last time he (the unveracious Meares) saw that individual lie was drunk, leaning against a lamp-post in Flinders street. It seems hardly credible that in an assembly of sane men a member was found to second this idiotic proposal, and several actually made speeches in its defence. Others admitted that the strictures passed upon the Council were fully deserved, and thought that the course it had taken to, clear its reputation was hardly likely to effect that object. The Mayor got excited said he would not preside any longer over such a meeting, pulled off his robe, and threw it at tho Town Clerk, wrapping that dignified functionary in its ample folds. At length, matters calmed down, members smoothed their ruffled plumes, and adjourned to the Mayor’s luncheon, and soothed their indignant feelings with cold pastry and iced wines. While this lot of rowdies assemble now and then and pass their time in such ruffianly displays as this, it is not matter for surprise thatthe sanitary requirements of the city and all the objects they were appointed to effect, are disgracefully neglected.