The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1090, 27 December 1877, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1877.

We are glad to notice that the question of street tramways in Christclmrch is likely to be re-opened. Some time back, it will be recollected, the matter was discussed, but the projectors were scarcely then prepared to lay before the public that amount of data which was necessary. It is true that the information collected was very full, but somehow or other the interest languished, and the project failed of its accomplishment. We hope that the revival on this occasion will be more successful. Iu no part of the colony is there such natural advantages presented for the cheap construction of street tramways as in Christchurch. The traffic through the city would be large, and, if branches were established to the suburbs, this would be very greatly increased. Once let the main line be laid down and the branches will soon follow. All round the city, the suburbs are growing up, and the residents therein would only be too glad to establish lines in their respective neighbourhoods. In Wellington, the experiment has been tried, and there the natural formation of the town is much less favourable than here. We hope that now the project has been once more revived, steps will be taken to bring it to a practical conclusion. Let a small line be laid down in the main streets of the city as an experiment, and if successful it can easily be extended. As to the remunerative nature of the scheme, we think there can be little doubt. The crowded vehicles which ply from the Central Railway Station, and from the Papanui Station, show the large amount of traffic which is going on. and which, of course, with greater facilities of travelling would largely increase. Let the projectors call a public meeting when their plans are fully matured, and if they arc at all feasible Ave have no doubt of their ultimate success.

We have cm more than one occasion directed attention to the lowered tone noticeable in the conduct of the Otago Daily Times lately. The time was when that ' journal aimed at, and generally succeeded in, keeping up a high standard. But all this has changed. Public questions are now apparently looked at from a Aery low standpoint. Our contemporary cannot conceiA-e of our public men acting from any other motiA'e than a purely selfish regard for their proAdnce. In an article on Sir G. Grey's speech at Auckland no attempt is made to deal with the questions raised by him on their merits. The folloAving extract will illustrate Avhat we have said. It is taken from our contemporary's leading article ofJDecember 26th :

Our Land Fund was ruined beyond redemption, and all honor to the Ministers who finished boldly what their predecessors had compassed in eowardice and by stealth. And cordially as Auckland Deems to rejoice at the long-standing cause of contention being openly removed, we in Otago have no less reason to rejoice that this act has been accomplished without longer delay. A year or two later and Canterbury, in pursuance of her thoroughly selfish policy, would, by her present reckless landselhng, have turned all her lands into her own roads and bridge*, and by the time the late Ministers' schemes had been completed, would have been prepared to join with the hungry pack of landless provinces in the colony after the sole remaining lands of Otago. Thanks to the Ministry which has brought the matter promptly to a head, Canterbury brings a goodly share to the common Btock, and the counterpart to Auckland's rejoicing in the colonialisation of the Land Fund is not in any circumstances to be found in Otago, for the defenders of the Land Fund are neither surprised nor disappointed here, but in the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth that mark the remorse of the province which through its representatives sold itself to Abolition for the expected selfish gains. Let the gallsd jade wince, our withers are unwrung ; and having lost nothing but what we had known we had already lost, we can even feel a mischievous joy in echoing back the cheers of Auckland.