The Globe. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 862, 29 March 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1877.

" The Council of the Acclimatisation Society feels that it has been treated with great discourtesy, and placed in a very humiliating position in the eyes of the public by the Grovernment in the matter of the opening of the shooting season." Such are the opening words of a resolution passed at a special meeting held a few days ago. We are assured that in this particular case " great trouble was taken to ascertain the views of sporting and other observant men before the decision altering the date was arrived at," and that the evidence "of certain important rangers and others" strengthened the Council in its conviction that the alteration for this year became desirable, on account of the lateness of the season. Of course we accept the assurance of the Council that the alteration proposed by them was suggested entirely with the object " of saving the game from being slaughtered at too early a period," although some are of a different opinion. But when those gentlemen arrogate to themselves exclusive knowledge on the subject, and charge the " great bulk of those who are opposed to the change " as " men who are not disposed to promote the preservation of game"itis really beyond a joke. Is there any exclusive wisdom derived from sitting at the Council board which is denied to all besides ? Such is undoubtly the opinion of its members. In the large number of sportsmen opposed to the change, and on whose advice we presume the Grovernment acted, there are surely ten or twelve men who know as much about our native game, and are as deeply interested in its preservation as are the members of the Acclimatisation Society. The Government at any rate thought so.

Though somewhat late in the day and coming with rather a bad grace, we are glad to see that the Drainage Board have decided on making a certain concession. The direction which this has taken is the postponement of putting in hand of the Ferry road sewer for two months. Before the expiration of that period the ratepayers will be in a position, having studied the lithographic plans, to say whether the Board is right in carrying the work out as proposed or not. It will also give the Board itself time to consider the dilemma it is in. A public body, elected by the people, is now in direct conflict with the power which created it, and refuses to recognise the claims of its creators to be heard. This is the position and the awkwardness of it is further complicated by the acceptance by the Board of a certain plan to which it has pledged itself. Therefore on all hands, regarding it, both from the standpoint of the Board and the diametrically opposite one of the ratepayers, it is a good thing that such a delay should take place. Both parties will be enabled more calmly to survey the position, and then they may be able to make such mutual concessions as will enable the one great end —which appears to have been lost sight of in the squabbling —to be accomplished, viz., the speedy and efficient drainage of the city and suburbs. «. Our remarks on the cab nuisance in Gloucester street, we are glad to see, have borne fruit so far as an official report of the Borough Inspector goes. But we want to know what has become of the report ? The newspapers state that it was referred to the Sanitary Committee. We had supposed that the duties of this committee comprised other points differing entirely from the supervision of cabs. However, in one respect at least, the reference has some show of fitness. The congregation of cabs and drivers has become a " nuisance" and as such, perhaps, properly comes under the cognizance of the Sanitary Committee. We only hope that they will act with as much prompititude in enforcing the removal of this, as they do other nuisances in the city. » —, Despite the pretty plainly expressed opinion of the public meeting, a plebiscite of the ratepayers is to be taken on Saturday next as to the purchase of the Morten block. There can, we think, be very little doubt of the result. Except a few who hold to their opinions with a tenacity worthy of a better cause, the ratepayers have made up heir minds on the subject, and wt liiey will come to the poll on Saturday, aud by a most emphatic rerchct of "No," put an end at one* ana 1 for ever to the scheme.

The ratepayers of the city who have been congratulating themselves on the fact of only paying 9d in the £ this vear will find themselves mistaken. By an error in the report it appears so, but the real tact is that Is in the £ is the rate to be struck for the year ended 31st December, 1877. It is important that this should be known amongst the ratepayers, as, unless it is so, when the notices come to be served, some misunderstanding is sure to arise.