The Globe. THURSDAY JULY 25, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1386, 25 July 1878, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY JULY 25, 1878.

There are ono or two points in tho suggestions of tho City Council for tho approaching Municipal Conference which deserve more than passing notice. Some of them, it may bo remarked, aro more properly subjects to be brought forward in tho House of Representatives than in tho Municipal Conference. In this category may bo placed the constitution of the City Council, tho Local Board of Health for Christchurch, tho cattle market reserve question, and that relating to tho Sandhills reserve. These, it is to be presumed, will not be brought forward by the delegate at tho Conforonco, but will bo urged by him in his capacity as member for tho city of Christchurch. As to the appointment of tho delegate, without wishing in any way to disparage the acknowledged ability of Mr. Moorhouse, it is much to be regretted that failing the Mayor, who has stated his inability to attend the meeting, some councillor should not have been able-to visit Wellington as tho representative of the Council. Tho members of tho Council are thoroughly aw fait with all the points in tho various subjects likely to bo dealt with by tho Conference, a knowledge which it is quite impossible for anyone outsido,howevorinterested,to easily obtain. Tho present delegate may bo, and no doubt will be thoroughly posted up by the Mayor aud officials, with documents, &c, but this, though well in its way, falls far short of the weight which a practical experience would give to the views when urged before the Conference. Having said so much, let us now notice the points in the suggestions to which wo have referred. Tho first of these in point of importance to the city is tho proposal to have the tenure of the reserves, now vested in the city for special purposes, altered so that they may bo used for general municipal purposes. In the last session of the General Assembly a Bill was introduced by the Hon. E. Richardson called the Christchurch Reserves Act. Tho object of tho Act was to vest tho management of certain reserves within tho city in tho hands of the Mayor and City Council, under certain conditions. These reserves were divided into four classes. Tho first of these comprised what may be called river reserves, Latimer and Cranmer Squares, and the west side of Cathedral Square. The Act provides, as to these, that they shall only bo used as public gardens or promenades, and for no other purpose. The second schedule includes all those triangular spaces, in various parts of the city, on some of which fire tanks have been placed. These are held by the Mayor and Council on condition that they may erect any building for ornamental purposes solely, construct water tanks, or establish cab stands. The land comprised in the third schedule is the reserve with which the Council dosire to deal. It is that known as tho Market Place, comprising tho site upon which the Post Office is at present erected, that on which tho old Firo Brigade station stood, and that now occupied by the somewhat dilapidatedlooking edifice from which the Corporation receive tho munificent rental of 7s weekly. By tho Christchurch City Reservos Act this is vested in tho Corporation for tho purposes of a market, and can bo used for no other whatsoever. In a very short time tho Government will vacate the building now used by them as the Post Office, and either tho building will have to be removed, or remain as it now is, a very unsightly structure in one of the * most prominent situations in tho city. As to the possibility of a market being established, it seems that this is very remote; many trials have been made, but all have failed. Nor aro we in Christchurch singular in this respect. A very commodious and well appointed market hall was erected in Wellington which has not for years, nor wo believe over been occupied for its original purpose. Under those circumstances the city will have a large and valuable piece of ground actually unprofitable. That the city requires a town hall no one will doubt, and the Market Place would be an excellent site for it. Tho present site of tho Council Chamber is far too small for the purpose, but unless tho alteration proposed by the City Council in tho City Resovos Act is allowed it will be Hobson's choice. Tho Council do not propose to interfere with the provisions contained in tho Act as regards tho river frontages, the squares, or tho triangular pieces. Woro this the case wo should bo tho first to protest vigorously against such a thing. These —more particulary the river reserves, are essential to the health and well-being of the citizens, and no interference with them should be permitted on any pretext whatover; but in tho case of tho market reserve it is totally different. Here is a piece of ground in tho centre of tho city lying waste, and for no well-founded reason. As to open space being required, just beyond it aro two triangular pieces, and tho river reserve fronting tho Supreme Court. Therefore no objection on the score of closing what might bo called ouo of the lungs of tho city will hold good. If the required alteration is made, and power given to use this land for general municipal purposes, or oven extended to giving short leases for building purposes, tho city will bo greatly benefitted in more ways than one. It will receive an addition to its revenue from tho rents derivable; and it will also be enabled to erect, if so decided, a town hall which shall bo a credit to us. More than that, tho appearance of tho city will bo increased very greatly by the filling up of what is at present a very unsightly space with good buildings. Wo aro unable to seo that the slightest harm would bo done. True, the laud was reserved for a market,

but, as wo have said, the experiment of establishing a market has proved anything but a success. Under all theso circumstances wo hope the proposal will have the support of the city members of tho House, and that the Government may bo induced to bring in a short Bill amending the City Reserves Act in the direction indicated. The noxt point of importance in tho suggestions is that having reference to the establishment of a Mayor's Court in Christchurch. It is contended—and with some truth—that tho establishment of a Mayor's Court hero would relievo tho Resident Magistrate of a great deal of what may bo called formal work, but which yet takes up a great deal of time. Tho Mayor's Court would deal with what are known as " night charges," such as cases of drunkenness, &c, which do not require legal education or training to dispose of. Tho experiment has been tried in Dunodin, and worked very well, and is now in force in the various Australian cities and boroughs. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the Government appear to have contemplated tho establishment at some time of Mayors' Courts by tho creation of all Mayors of Boroughs, ex officio, Justices of tho Peace. There is no doubt about it, that by this moans a groat deal of time would bo saved to the Resident Magistrate, which could be more profitably employed in deciding cases of far greater importance as involving matters of mercantile interest. If they were sot free by the establishment of tho Mayor's Court from tho necessity of spending a great deal of time over cases of drunkenness, &c, which would easily be dealt with by the Mayor or any other J. P., there can bo no doubt that it will bo a very good thing for the public and the solicitors. At any rate it might bo introduced as a tentative measure, and a trial given. If it succeeded it would bo a step in the right direction; if, on the other hand, it was proved not to work satisfactorily no groat harm would result.