The Globe. MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 806, 22 January 1877, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1877.

In a former article we referred to the resolution of Councillor Turner respecting the licensed cabmen of the city, and it was with much satisfaction that we saw the practical result thereof. A number of licenses have been refused, but we are at a loss to understand why the proceedings should have been in committee, and thus rendered private. A charge was publicly made against the cabmen of this city by a Councillor in bis place. When the truth or otherwise of that charge came to be investigated it was only right, so far as we can see, that the proceedings should have been equally public. There are fortunately, as we pointed out in the former article on this subject, some of the cab drivers of Christchurch, who bear a deservedly high character, and it is not fair to leave them under the stigma of engaging in a disreputable traffic. This is the case, while the real delinquents are sheltered from publicity by the of the City Council. The only remedy is to publish a list of the licenses cancelled, with the names of the licensees, which will at once show who have been making a of the license of

the Council to carry on a nefarious trade. We cannot but agree with the Council in the selection of one of the police to act as their Cab Inspector, and hope that the required permission will be granted by the Commissioner. A member of the police force has more opportunities of observing the conduct of cabmen than a civilian, and besides his inspection carries with it a certain amount of weight. Cabmen have a wholesome fear of the force, and it will act as a deterrent in many cases. One thing we would impress on the Council in drawing up the schedule of the duties of this officer, viz, that the inspection of the cabs should be a thorough and complete one, and that we shall not be, as we have hitherto, so completely at the tender mercy of the more unscrupulous of our Christchurch Jehus.