The Globe TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1875.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 221, 23 February 1875, Page 2

The Globe TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1875.

At the usual weekly meeting of the City Council, held last night, the present Mayor made a most sensible speech. He alluded to the fact that ever since he had been a member of the Council he had noticed that " all " important matters brought on for " discussion by notice, were taken the " last thing in the evening." This of f pipie has been the case, a»d by the

time these matters came on for discussion the councillors, as a rule, had been squabbling for some time, and were in the humour to disagree about anything. The public also suffered, as debates could not be reported at their proper length in consequence of the reporters having already taken notes enough to fill the space allotted to them in the daily papers. The Mayor then brought before the Council the order in which he proposed to transact the business of the evening, and it appears to us to be a great improvement on the manner which has hitherto been adopted. The immediate result of the Mayor's method of proceeding will be that the councillors will not have so many chances of talking about every conceivable subject, except that before them at the moment; and that they will take the most important business at a proper time. With the remarks made by the Mayor on the present system, by which " naif " the evening is wasted in frivolous " discussion," we most thoroughly agree, and we trust that the innovation introduced may have the effect of inducing those members of the Council who are so fond of hearing themselves speak, to confine their attention to the subject matter before them. We hope too, that the Mayor will be firm in his determination not to allow speeches to be got in by a side-wind, though he will have much difficulty in carrying out his intention in this respect. If, however, he is supported by that section of the Councillors who are not in love with their own oratorical powers, there is some chance that he may be successful; Altogether, we take the Mayor's speech to indicate an honest intention of getting through with the work which is brought before the City Council, and this in itself is a promise to fight against the custom, which has so long prevailed, of turning the Council Chamber into an arena for that display of personal feeling and temper which has hitherto presented the Christchurch Councillors in a by no means favorable light to the ratepayers who have returned them. We wish the Mayor every success in his laudable efforts to bring about a healthier and more businesslike state of affairs.