The Globe. SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 793, 6 January 1877, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

So after all, the pomps and vanities of defunct Provincial Councils are in a fair way of being revivified. The Selwyn County Council met last Thursday, and nc time was lost in establishing a good solid foundation upon which some sort of Legislative structure might be firmly seated. The forms obtaining in that constitutional high temple, the House of Representatives are, to a certain extent, to be copied, and Standing Orders similar to those in force in that august assembly, will be adopted, “Her Majesty’s “ Opposition,” it seems has already raised its menacing and brazen head in the shape of the Eiding-member for Heathcote, There appears to have been considerable eagerness for the fray, displayed by several of the new posse comitatus, among whom the gentleman in question showed conspicuously. He thought it proper to record, as emphatically as possible, his protest against the fact that fresh life and new blood was not infused. into the chairmanship of the new governing body, inasmuch as Mr Eolleston was again placed at the head of affairs, a position which Dr Turnbull thought it high time should be occupied by somebody else. Toujours perdrix appears to have been the refrain of the worthy doctor’s song. The Council, however, did not seem to see it in that light, but on the contrary it gave no uncertain sigrj. that, collectively or otherwise, they never tired of a good thing. So far, there can be no doubt but that “ Her “ Majesty’s Opposition” played a weak card, and was at once trumped by “ the whole strength of the company.” We now come to the second objection urged by Dr Turnbull against our late Superintendent’s accession to his new office, which objection, by the bye, was also overruled with the greatest unanimity. The member for Heathcote expressed his great alarm at one occupying the post of agent of the Colonial Government being placed in the County Council’s chair; the two positions, he argued, being quite incompatible. It would make him, in fact, a kind of French Prefet with unlimited powers (we suppose) of life and death over every man, woman and child within the boundaries of the newly constituted dominions under the sway of that stern-faced functionary. At first sight —especially when conjoined with horrid foreign words—there seems some substance in the objection. Upon dissection and further analysis however, there is but little 123, it. The powers

and the jurisdiction of Chairmen of Counties are entirely circumscribed by the will of the majority of the Council, they possessing in fact no other privileges than those appertaining to a easting vote in the deliberations of that body. If Dr Turnbull had carefully examined the details of the Counties Act, it is not probable that he would have raised—on its merits purely —the opposition which he did to Mr Eollestou’s appointment. Yet, it must be conceded that, as far as outward appearances are concerned, it would be as well if a servant of the (Government, such as a Provincial agent is, should not, as a rule, be allowed to fill so political an office as the one in question. Perhaps, however, like the boatswain in Marryatt’s novel, Mr. Eolleaton’s mania for official cares, which he knows so well how to utilise, has made him adopt the famous motto of “ Duty before Decency,” and, in his zealous endeavours to render himself useful, he has perhaps overlooked the fact that some people there are, who will think it scarcely decent to serve two masters in the same breath. A Canterbury public, it must be said, has long understood that Mr. Eolleston’s official career has been appreciated in a way which must render his acts above suspicion. Perhaps, when the next shuffling of cards takes place “ Her Majesty’s Opposition” may succeed in leading from a stronger suit, and in keeping in reserve the wherewithal to support it.