The Globe. TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 320, 22 June 1875, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1875.

At the usual weekly meeting of the City Council, held last night, Councillors Ick and Bishop stated at some length their views on the subject of the drainage of Christchurch and the suburbs. It will be recollected that these two gentlemen, together with his Worship the Mayor, were appointed by the City Council to attend a conference with the chairmen of the various suburban Hoad Boards, this eoufereuce being held to see if any definite plan of drainage for both Christchurch and the suburbs could be agreed upon. The Mayor on that occasion voted with the chairmen of the Boad Boards, and Councillors Ick and Bishop formed a minority. Councillor Ick’s present plan is the “extending of the muni- “ cipal boundaries, so as to include the “ immediate suburbs,” and, as a matter ot course, giving the suburbs thus included “ equitable representation al “ the City Council Board.” Cr Ick also had several other suggestions to make if his first scheme was considered to be impracticable, but we may take it for granted that the idea we have quoted above finds the most favour in his eyes. Councillor Bishop, who was equally opposed to the idea of a Board of Commissioners which should have power to override the City Council,

was of opinion that what was wanted was a Drainage Board for the suburbs, and moved “ That this Council desired “ to urge the necessity for a complete “ system of drainage for the suburbs “ of Christchurch, but that no system “ should include the city without the “ approval of the Council.” With regard to Councillor Ick’s plan of extending the municipal boundaries, we can only say that such a plan appears to us to be impracticable, and even if this is not the case the idea would find but few supporters. If the boundaries of the municipality were extended, all other subjects, affecting the streets, &c, and including drainage, would necessarily be brought under the control of the councillors ; the system of representation would have to be extended, and there would be valuable time lost before what would virtually be a new Council could get into work. Again, where is the extension to stop ? Suburbs, which at present cannot be called immediate, would by the inclusion proposed, be placed in that position, and there would he no end to the change of representation required in the City Council. Altogether we expect that the action of the Mayor in falling in with the views of the Eoad Board chairmen, in their proposal of a Board of Commissioners, will find more favor with the general public, on account of the easier manner in which such a scheme could be carried out, that Cr Ick’s vague suggestion of an extension of the municipal boundaries. Councillor Bishop’s motion has nothing whatever to recommend it. He might, with just as much reason, have moved that the Council urge the necessity for a complete system of drainage for Rangiora, as have placed his present motion on paper. The suburbs wish to act with Christchurch in this important matter. Councillor Bishop wishes them to drain for themselves and not to interfere with the City at all. If he is opposed to the combination of City and Suburb on the drainage question, let him say so, but in this case his advice to the suburbs is needless and uncalled for. They, if compelled to do so, will carry out their own system of drainage, and leave Mr Bishop and his brother Councillors to attend to that of Christchurch. The question, however, was adjourned for a fortnight, and perhaps before that time, the case may assume a- different aspect, through the motion standing in Cr Raphael’s name, for next Monday, being carried.

The following is another instance of the way in which the “ Press Agency ” supplies news to the papers. We received the telegram published below, yesterday afternoon:— “ Ch. Ch. Additional 15 miles Oxford “ branch line of railway to be formally “ opened this morning. Event will be “ celebrated by public luncheon and ball “at Oxford. Additional 14 miles of South- “ bridge branch line railway will be opened “on July 15.” This is very interesting news, no doubt, but we should have thought it need hardly have been telegraphed back again from Wellington to Christchurch, considering that the local agent for the “ Press Agency ” had already despatched the news from here, for the information of the papers, in the other parts of the colony, who are subscribers to the Agency. Such telegrams as these almost make us regret the loss of “ Knocker.”