The Globe. MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 977, 13 August 1877, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 1877.

The Municipal Conference has closed its labours and the various members have returned to their respective homes. "Whatever opinions may be held about the manner in which the preliminary portion of the business was transacted so far as Christchurch is concerned, there can be no doubt that good will result from the meeting. In respect to the subject of endowments for municipalities, the Conference has spoken in no uncertain manner, and we hope that the Government will see their way clear to do justice to those parts of the colony, which, from no fault of their own, have been deprived of their just rights in the matter of endowment. We in Christchurch have especial claim upon the Government. The city endowment—the town reserves —were virtually taken from us some years since, and sold at what must now be regarded as a most insignificant price. It must be remembered that the municipalities have now cast upon them in a _ great measure responsibilities involving a large expenditure of rates to the consequent relief of the general funds, and it is therefore only fair that we should ask for a corresponding endowment to meet these burdens. Other parts of the colony have not suffered so much as we have in this respeet, and it may therefore be regarded as somewhat selfish that we urge the claims of Christchurch, but when the matter comes to be investigated, it will be found that we are only asking for what is our due, and that the ratepayers are justified in requesting that they shall be recouped for what was to a great extent spoliation by the sale of what should have been preserved for the use of the municipality. If the action of the Conference in this respect is successful only a fair restitution will be made. Again, in the wording of the Act, many defects are found, and the recommedations of those engaged in its practical administration cannot fail to be of great value to the Government, and here the meeting will prove useful. We have no doubt that the statement made by Mr. Hobbs at the meeting of the City Council to-night will be full, as the information we now possess is somewhat scanty. "We refrain from commenting ion the general work of the Conference till full report is before is. There is just one point more upon which we hope the Government will reconsider tlu.i" de-

cision. We allude to their refusal to contribute towards the maintenance of Eire Brigade*. When we consider the large amount of Government property existing in our towns, none of which contributes towards the rates, it does seem somewhat anomalous that no grants should bo made towards the expenses incurred by the citizens for fire protection. These buildings, which in no way aid the city revenue, while enjoying the benefits of a well organized brigade, should at least pay a small quota towards the cost, and we are at a loss to know upon what grounds the Grovernment based their refusal. This is a point which we hope will not be lost sight of, and that Grovernment will again be applied to, through our representatives in the Assembly, to contribute something towards the maintenance of a means, of protection to the property of the State. Noav that they have got possession of it, the people of Timaru are exceedingly anxious to spend the £IOO,OOO placed at their disposal towards the construction of a breakwater. At a meeting of the Board, held on Wednesday, two plans of a breakwater Avere submitted, and one of them, we are informed —that of Messrs Allan and Stumbles, of Timaru—will in till probability be accepted, instead of Sir John Coode's. The Board meets on Thursday to receive full specifications and plans, and to decide on the matter. Fortunately for the interests of the district, the Timaru Harbor Board Act provides that no contract for the construction of any breakwater, &c, shall be undertaken until plans and estimates of such work shall have been approved by a commission of professional or scientific men, specially appointed by the Governor, with a view to taking evidence or obtaining information on the practicability of the plan proposed to be adopted. The wisdom of .the above clause is shown in the present circumstances. As long as it remains on the statute book, the Board will be prevented from entering upon any contract before it has been carefully considered by a body of scientific men, in no way personally interested.