The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1874.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 104, 30 September 1874, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1874.

Any person reading the report of the meeting of the City Council of Monday last would very naturally ask what is becoming of the dignity and position of our City Councillors? Are we in Christchurch about to undergo a class of entertainment, ’yclept “ scenes,” so forcibly and emphatically carried out in the New South Wales Corporation ? or, are we going to rival the “innocent amusement” enacted by Brothers Jonathan in Congress, where nothing but the lie direct, with the usual revolver and bowie-knife accompani-

merits, can appease the wrath and bullying propensities of certain irate Congressmen? Surely our Councillors must be getting tired of their once quiet, though monotonous, mode of carrying on their meetings ? Or is it owing to the infusion of a little new blood that we are treated to the first act of the comedy? Something more than an “ earnest desire to servo the interests of the ratepayers ” must have caused this almost volcanic eruption to have taken place. Whatever reason can be assigned, it did not u fleet credit on the other members of the Council, who sat by and calmly listened to two of their members indulging in epithets of a not very pleasing nature, and throwing down the gauntlet, as it were, for a “ free fight.” His Worship, with his bland and telling smile, must also have enjoyed the fracas immensely, as he did not at all consider himself called upon to put an end to the disputation, or interfere till he gave his casting vote against the motion tabled. Well, a little diversity in the proceedings will no doubt draw a larger audience of ratepayers, and tend to strengthen the present bond of union existing between the burgesses and their representatives ; and who knows but Councillor Raphael might, if ho can get a little recreation in the way of a wordy battle, allow his motion in re the Mayor’s salary to drop ? So long as a little sport can be had without exactly following the example set by our Yankee friends, there can really be no harm; and after amusing themselves and their onlookers, they can betake themselves to “liquor up” to their heart’s content, chuckling over the entertainment they have provided for the edification of the ‘ ignorant and uneducated” portion of the ratepayers. A few more “ scenes ” like those exhibited on Monday night, and Christchurch newspaper exchanges will be eagerly sought after in the colonies, and the proceedings of our Council may claim the honor of being placed side by side with Jdiose of George street, and our cousins in the Far West. Now the ball has commenced to roll it is to be hoped some of our other indefatigable members will not be lax in their efforts to keep it rotating, as it would be a pity to check it too soon and thereby put an end to the “ innocent fun ” of the powers that be.