The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 849, 14 March 1877, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1877.

The meeting held last night in the Oddfellows’ Hall showed the large amount of interest which is being awakened in Municipal matters in Christchurch. Not only was it a large one, but it was perfectly orderly as well, and the decision arrived at must have convinced the City Council that this pet scheme of widening Colombo street, at an expense of £3O 000 or mure, is not likely to meet with the approval of the ratepayers generally. We have already given our reasons for opposing the proposal, but there was one other point raised by Mr. Wynn Williams last evening, which appears to us of very considerable weight. He contended that the action of the City Council had furnished the strongest possible arguments that Mr. Morten was entitled to £30,000 or more for the block. Their attempt to show that the purchase of the land would actually cost the ratepayers nothing at all, would go to enhance the value ot the property, and the arbitrators would be compelled to take that tact into consideration. The promoters of the scheme are no doubt actuated by a desire to benefit the city in the course they wish to take, but notwithstanding the “ months of study ” they have given to it, we do not think the ratepayers will agree with them, and when a poll is taken we expect the plan will be rejected by a large majority.

"We think, Mr Wynn Williams very properly took Councillor Turner to task last evening for his remarks with reference to the recent drainage meeting held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Mr Turner said that the conduct of that meeting, as reported, was a disgrace to Christchurch, and that the attempt to put down any speaker by brute force was unworthy of their intelligence. ‘ln our opinion Mr. Turner’s remarks are altogether unjustified, and uncalled for. It is quite true that the meeting in question adopted the usual manner of expressing approval or otherwise of the sentiments of the different speakers. But as long as those who addressed the audience stuck strictly to the question at issue, they were heard patiently, and it was only when the common sense of the meeting was challenged by the speakers, that their sentiments were resented. It is of course very convenient, in some circumstances, to place small value upon public opinion as expressed at such meetings. But had Councillor Turner anticipated that the meeting last night would have been in his favor, he would probably prudently have held his tongue as to the manner in which that opinion is usually expressed.

The mystery which surrounds the proceedings of the Senate of the University of New Zealand is not only exceedingly annoying to those who take an interest in higher education in the colony, but is likely to result disastrously to the University itself. According to a telegram from Dunedin, proposals, it is alleged, are being made to the Senate of the University, that the standard of examination be lowered. Now it is well known that strong influence has been brought to bear, on in authority, to bring this result about. Certain affiliated institutions, uuablo to find the necessary teaching power, are anxious to lower the standard of the University exaraina-

tions to their own level. If they succeed, a death-blow will be dealt to the University, which it may take years to recover. In the case of such an institution, immediate success must net be looked for, but if the Senate has the courage to wait for results, steadfastly maintaining a high standard, ultimate success will no doubt crown their labors. The worst of it is, however, the mischief may be done already without the public having the slightest intimation of what is being done. Although managing the affairs of an institution in which the Colony at large is deeply interested, and spending a large amount of public funds annually, the Senate has chosen to surround its proceedings in the deepest mystery. But mystery is inconsistent with the spirit of our Colonial institutions, and if those well meaning old gentlemen continue to indulge much longer in it, an agitation may be started which may result in the constitution of the University being entirely remodelled.