JOTTINGS BY ‘CRINGLE.’

Globe, Volume II, Issue 131, 31 October 1874, Page 3

JOTTINGS BY ‘CRINGLE.’

[Written for the Globe.] I think it a very great pity that a number of the ratepayers did not avail themselves of the Mayor’s general invitation, and put in an appearance at last Monday’s sitting, for if they had they would have been truly edified. Ehey would first have heard an individual strike out a new line of argument, by threatening to tender his brother the peaceoffering of “a smack under the ear. ” Again, they would have heard this fully-fledged orator, in a style of oratory peculiarly his own, exclaim that he was not “going to be sat upon by a point of order,” as his objection was “ a genuwyne one” ; and, later on, a sensitive ear would have been tickled by the expression of “ Your’e a contemptible rat,” and other similar ones equally compimentary, coming out so naturally, that one would have fancied 'he was listening to a professor holding the degree of A.S.S. from some university within the precincts of Ratcliffe Highway. Be it distinctly understood that such a scandalous state of things did not exist some little time ago, and should not now be allowed to exist long. Any one who will not not be sat upon by a point of order —who makes a practice of obstructing business to such a ridiculous extent —-who indulges in such disgraceful personalities, and will not submit to ruling as those who know better do, should be placed, for the benefit of his and other’s temper, in Coventry. If something of this kind is not done we shall have a veritable bear garden in our midst, and application will have to be made for a policeman to be in attendance to see that the peace is kept. If, however, this class of entertainment should be preferred to Opera, I beg to move that seats be erected, and admission granted at fixed prices ; and will ask “that this ere resolution do pass.” Tinkers and tailors may possibly be uneducated men, but they have this advantage over some people ; they possess a good deal of common-sense knowledge of what is best for themselves and their belongings, and are A 1 at their business. I cannot help thinking that the amenities of debate which for the most part characterize the Tinkers’ and Tailors’ Societies might be followed to good purpose by their-would-be dictators in solemn conclave assembled. He would indeed be a very ill-behaved tailor who, because a brother-goose happened to differ with him in opinion, would frantically ask if he meant to call him a liar. If this is the kind of instruction they are so anxious to impart, keep ’em out my friends, and stick to the Ordinance. Your doing so will be the more religious act, as, judging from a portion of the proceedings, one cannot help thinking that Auld Clootie has lately had a very decent innings. _ _ “ What would you think,” said a friend to me the other day, “ of a gaol where men who are committed for trial, and according to British law innocent, because untried, are at once placed in prison clothes ? And what would you think of the management of that institution where, if a man who is committed, happens to have the means to employ a solicitor, and a member of the legal profession asks to see and confer with him, the interview has to take place in an open passage, with an officer pacing backwards and forwards within earshot, having the opportunity of hearing the line of defence, to be of course again communicated? And when the head functionary has the unfortunate man’s money, what would you think if he placed all sorts of unnecessary obstacles in the way of its being expended for such a purpose as making an effort to escape his clutches ? “ What would I think ! I would think that if such a practice obtained as the first you have mentioned, it wouldbeamost iniquitous one, and contrary to all preconceived ideas of justice and the law of England. With regard to the second, were I the counsel employed I should make a very strong representation if I were not permitted to have my client alone in some office, where, by learning every particular, both right and wrong, I might be enabled to consider what course 1 should best take to do my duty ; and though such a proceeding as you have referred to would be palpably unfair if attempted by any functionary, this representation to a higher quarter would, I think, be likely to prevent its recurrence. With regard to the money portion, the proper course to adopt would, I take it, be a very simple one. ” “Well, and so it is, was his very laconic reply. _ ... 1 see that another historical association is being added to the Maori house—l allude to the galvanised iron covering now being placed around it. To the uninitiated, this might

appear to have been lately imported from a British manufactory, hut it is not so. This kind of iron is supposed to have been used for shields by the “ pre-historic ” natives, and must have been burnished to its present appearance. The characters in red paint, which look not unlike B over C in diamond, though they would be taken by some to be the landing mark, are, in reality, a tattooing device, which was extensively practised among the first natives found on the shores of Lake Taupo. I cannot conceive a more undignified position for any law-making body to occupy, than the City Council has held with respect to the cabmen. Though I should be very sorry to see any set of public men commit an act of harshness, and refuse to listen to a respectful representation, I consider the members of the Council sunk the dignity of their position, when they consented to hear the views of the deputation, “so that an amicable arrangement might be come to.” Yes, forsooth, these individuals, who have been working for some time past under little check, and no law, now require to have concessions made them, which would be an injustice to the public, before they will come to “ amicable terms.” I never heard of such a thing in my life before. Considering the very small proportion in numbers the cabmen bear to the rest of the community, it seems to me monstrous, that a law cannot be framed which will bring them under its working, in the same manner that laws do the larger majority of the citizens. And a person would imagine from the fear entertained by some members of the Council of the opinion of the cabmen, that each one was a lord-don’t-know-Avho, whose displeasure it would be dangerous to incur, and who would only require to issue an ukase to oust them from their seats. Fancy a high civic dignitary saying to one of these gentry, “well, you see, we are doing all we can to satisfy you,” and the other replying, “ Oh ! yes, yon are doing very well so far.” And it could hardly be believed that one of the free and independent, actually left the Council Chamber, when the resolution proposing the reduction of fares was about to be put, and when he returned, and was informed that he had been waited for, he again left until the resolution was decided. There was independence and duty for yon, from one sent in to protect the interests of the majority of ratepayers ! And who could have believed that another independent would “ not give a silent vote, as it would not please the cabmen or the ratepayers.” And here you will observe that the cabmen are the first consideration. The bye-law has been passed, and, notwithstanding the patient hearings, concessions of three in a hansom, and increase of number of cabs on some of the stands, it is current rumour that these gentlemen are not yet satisfied, and have been advised that a flaw has already been discovered in the bye-law, which will permit of the late action being taken de novo. This may be merely bunkum, but if it is not, I, for one, shall very much regret it, merely for the sake of principle. One sometimes hears of strange claims being made upon agents of vessels ; but a rather novel one in its wording, made the other day by a certain department, has amused me not a little. It seems the amount of passage money is paid to the owners of ships, according to the immigrant passenger list, and on the arrival of a vessel lately it was found that one of the immigrants, whose name was entered on the list, had either lost his passage, or thought better of it. When this was learnt the following claim was received—“To one immigrant short landed, £15.” “ The fact was they thought they had got some one who understood something about discounts.” And the fact was_ that they were right; and Cringle would just like to have the photy of the man among his curios who would rise up and dispute that platform. Farewell, thou intelligent treatist of intellectual “ Owing and Paid,” farewell! And thou, so natural an expositor of revered Jack Sheppard,” alas ! farewell. Once more those brilliant effusions, so appealing to, and worthy of —a Pit—a fond adieu. Parting, though often sad, is sometimes sweet sorrow— Iggey, will ye no come back again, Cringle murmurs with a sigh ; And ere he wipes his pen —he wipes his eye.