The Globe. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 25, 29 June 1874, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1874.

The question of running a limited number of trains on the Northern and SouthernVailways on a Sunday, came before the Council last Friday night. The mover of the resolution stated that he <lid not wish to bind the Government in any way, but merely that the experiment should be tried, and if it proved a failure it could easily be abandoned. The Government, by Mr Maude, had no objection, but then arose member after member, and opposed the proposal. The arguments of the honorable members were not characterised by any nOvelty, and many of them seemed to imagine that the resolution now proposed was a natural consequence of the opening of the Museum. But we confess we cannot understand Mr Knight when he declares the Government have treated the question in a " most frivo- " lous manner." Why frivolous ? The Government think that as a majority of the .members of the Council are in favor of the experiment being tried, that they will do so; but thev wisely reserve themselves the right to put an end to the running of the trains if after ascertain time it shall be found that they are not paying their expenses; and what can be more fair or reasonable ?. Mr Knight further stated that the Government had no right to deprive any man or body of men of their right to a holiday once a week.. This is mere claptrap, as the hon member must be perfectly aware that the railway officials, in common with all other employes in this country, will take very good care that they have their, fair share of holidays. The argument that the running of Sunday trains would inevitably lead to the opening of the public-houses and hotels on Sunday, may be disposed of by remembering that any bona Jlde travellers, whether arriving by train or in any way, have the right to apply at licensed houses for refreshment, and though the number of visitors into Christchurch on Sunday would probably be increased by the running of these trains, yet we think it would hardly make any perceptible difference to the publicans and hotel-keepers, judging from the very small percentage of travellers who now apply at their houses. Mr Fisher stated that it had been elicited from the Mauager of .Railways that it would involve the employment of thirty men to carry about twelve passengers ; but we may reasonably expect a very much larger number of persons than this would avail themselves of the Sunday trains, and we presume the number of officials employed would not be any greater if, instead of twelve passengers, there were five hundred. Altogether the feeling of the House was in favour of Mr Maskell's proposal, and we trust that before very long it will be rendered possible to the people of Eangiora and other outlying districts to spend their Sunday in Christchurch if they are so minded.