The Globe. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1482, 15 November 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1878.

The Colonial Secretary, Colonel Whitmore, is making an official tour of inspection through tho Middle Island. At least, he is moving about in a semiMinisterial manner, spying tho nakedness of tho land, as it were, ready to be interviewed by deputations, and anxious to throw all kinds of oleaginous substances upon tho troubled waters of tho present political period, To speak closer to the text, in fact, considering how unpopular —and deservedly so, too—ho and tho Government of which ho is a member are in Canterbury, tho gallant officer who controls tho Colonial Secretary's as well as the Defence Department, is prepared at all points just now "to rocoivo cavalry," whether it bo in tho shape of a Charitablo Aid deputation, a Harbour Defences Committee, or tho like. As tho mouthpiece, for tho time being, of a Cabinet in whom the public have now utterly lost faith, wo scarcely envy his task, Though Ministers during tho rocoss have tho ball at their feet, and havo tho handling of the strings which open tho Treasury purse, there is but little fear that they will not bo sharply brought to task in the matter of tho numberless promises that they may mako, whether it be their intention that these promises bo written on sand or engraved upon marble. Colonel Whitmore, wo are quite aware, knows well that in Canterbury's capital city ho is in the enemy's camp, and stands face to face with the most uncompromising section of Ministerial foes. And therefore it is that wo feel more than common sympathy for him. To use an old expression, Sir Georgo Grey during his "manhood-suffrage" tour of last year, " spoilt tho Egyptians " to a not inconsiderable extent. Tho Premier opened his Ministerial bag to its full width, and sowod wind by enormous mouthfulls. Sufficient time has elapsed, however, since that operation was performed, to have given the whirlwind full scope to assume its natural prerogative. It is now sweeping over tho land; and we cannot help condoling with the Colonial Secretary for the troubles through which he is wading so bravely. As a solatium for tho annoyances which his false position crowd upon him, Colonel Whitmore takes a great interest in police and gaol matters. His visits to the institutions under his immediate official care are frequent and lengthy. With the Colonial Secretary, by the bye, Police administration is a hobby. For though half-demilitarised himself, like the old war-horse ho delights in the sound of tho trumpet, let it be only in the shape of a policeman's rattle. It is a pity, however, that he does not dive deeper into the work of departmental reform to which he has so sot himself. The Provincial district of Canterbury, it is notorious, possesses a far too limited proportion of Police protection. Considering its wealth, its population, and vested interests, it receives less expenditure in that particular branch of the service than any other provincial dis- „.«,« rpi,; a \jq sa i(j to be mainly attributable to mo *—.<. that under tho present system of departmental control everything emanates from Wellington as the colonial centre. Yet the railways of the colony, since abolition took place, are under the direction of two heads of departments. That for the Middle Island is stationed at Christchurch, the natural centre from which everything in the Island radiates. It is not so, however, in the police department. The officer in charge of tho Middle Island, Mr Weldon, is, strange enough, located at Dunedin. Why this should be it is hard to tell. Great dissatisfaction exists in Canterbury as to the want of efficiency in the local police, and it is scarcely to be wondered at. And on the other hand totally different feolings and results of a singularly opposite character obtains in Dunedin, whero all things connected with police matters are in " apple-pie order." Now that Colonel Whitmore has practically seen for himself and personally investigated tho state of tho Dunedin and Canterbury Police Districts, he must have discovered that it is at Christchurch that should be established tho great central police depot for tho Middle Island. Wo can only trust that he may have wisdom enough to lay aside all narx-ow-minded feelings and provincial prejudices. aiU * that ho may be to act accordingly. or otherwise, Christchurch is the main centre of the Middle Island, from which all departmental control can bo exercised with cheapness and efficiency. Why should an exception bo made in the case of police administration ?

WHO is John Sperry? A correspondent has answered this question, and from his statement we gather the following information. He is a gentleman well known in Otago for many years as one of Ring Mac's confidential friends in the Provincial Buildings. His olilcc is not mentioned, but when Abolition took place he, with many others, received his conge and departed, perhaps not uncompensated. Seme time afterwards he had the misfortune to permanently injure himself one nieht by falling over something the City Council left in his way, and he threatened that body with a suit for heavy damages, but the corporation sent the matter to arbitrators—they are fond of arbitration down there—whose award turned out to be a very handsome solatium. Of course the injury he received was not of the grave character feared by Mr Sperry, or we should not find him chosen to organise an important department, which work, judging from the salary named, will entail considerable physical as well as mental exertion. Mr Sperry, for tho present, farewell I

The election for Mayor approaches. The tocsin of war has been sounded; the rival candidates are marshalling their forces ; and the wordy combat has already commenced. This language may he a trifle inflated, but we leave it to (ho themselves to say whether or not (ho wording is too grand for tho orcasion. At present it is the only humble offering wo can lay before them • they probably do not consider their quarrels such a very small sform in a teapot as we do. It is amueing to look on and note the petty intrigues indulged in by tho rival parties. The friends of His Worship are calling attention, and pretty hotly too, to certain laches in which they say Councillor Ick has had his

hand; whi'e hi 3 friends are crying out you're another with quite us much vigor. Only the outposts are as yet engaged. The flying squadrons who pester "your valuable columns " till it is impossible to discover which yarn is which, have not yet poured out. the contents of their waste-paper baskets, though they have made a fair start, his Worship the Mayor not haying the best of

it so far. It is exceedingly funny to notice the tactics of our Glouceßter-street friends in this strife. As the pilot-fish leads the shark to his prey; so does Hat lux swim before its ponderous parent, and by-and-by we shall see —what we shall see.