The Globe. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 360, 7 August 1875, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1875.

The meeting held on Thursday night in the Oddfellows' Hall was probably more numerously attended than any other meeting has been in Christchurch for many years past. Mr Wynn Williams was in great force, and after a very effective speech he proposed the resolution standing in his name, which was carried almost unanimously. The amendment to Mr Wynn Williams' motion, proposed by Rev Charles Eraser, and seconded by Mr Maskell, found but few supporters, and Mr Saunders' motion suffered a similar fate, both being negatived by a large majority. Prom first to last the audience went entirely with the mover of the first resolution, and all Mr Maskell's eloquence aud Mr Saunders'

verbosity were of no avail in their' attempts to prevent the passing of the resolution. Mr Stevens, as usual, gave the audience a dose of figures though he too expressed his entire approbation of the Government measures, and completely demolished Mr Saunders' argument that it would be dangerous to sweep away the Provincial Councils without making the Legislative Council elective. He also spoke at some , length on the idea that the land fund of those provinces which still possess such revenue, was in danger. Dr Turnbull, who spoke next, did not appear to touch the sympathiesof the of the audience, and the Mayor, who was the last to address the audience, could not be said to be fortunate, though he spoke sensibly enough. During the meeting, however, the wrath of those attending it was principally vented on the present Provincial Secretary, and if he had any idea that his statements that he would do all he could for the. City of Christchurch would be believed, he must now be undeceived. The Christchurch public had enough of this sort of thing during the last session of the Provincial Council, and it was not to be expected that they could stand another dose from the Provincial Secretary, and accordingly they treated his statement that the Government of which he was a member " had always expressed their " intention of doing j ustice to Christ- " church and had done so" with the contempt it merited. But let Mr Maskell take heart of grace. Surely if he feels the Provincial Secretaryship slipping from his grasp, he must remember that there must be a number of offices to be disposed of under the new regime, and the present Ministry will hardly forget one who contributed so ably to that wonderful production the " New Zealand Handbook." In this case too he will not have to face a Christchurch audience, angry at unfulfilled promises, as he could always shift the blame on to the shoulders of the Government. We make these remarks, because of those who addressed the meeting ou Thursday night, Mr Maskell would appear to be the. only one to whom place or office would be acceptable. We cannot answer for Mr Saunders, but then, we suppose no one else can either ; but Messrs Wvnn Williams, Stevens, T. D. Jones, his Worship the Mayor, the Eev C. Eraser and Dr Turnbull cannot be brought into the category of office seekers, even by their most ingenious opponent. Mr Maskell's disappointment is of course natural. After having laboured in vain for some years to obtain a seat on the Ministerial benches of the Provincial Council, to find that on attaining his wishecl-for position it is to be swept away is indeed annoying. His cry on Thursday night was "along day, my lord," but the flood is now at its height, and nothing in the shape of protestation can now save those provincial institutions Mr Maskell loves so dearly. He will have to accept the inevitable, and it would be perhaps wiser if he did so with a good grace.