The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1487, 21 November 1878, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1878.

The disputes, and it must be said, the buffoonery indulged in at their regular, and now always irregular, meetings by the members of the City Council, has arrived at a point which absurdity itself cannot render more ridiculous. The flatulency of the language used is indeed suited to the subjects that are chiefly discussed and is really, now, the only form in which consistency is found within their chamber. Facts, showing the way the ratepayers' money has been made ducks and drakes of, have become of very inferior interest to them when put in opposition to personal recrimination of the most undignified character. Matters which seem to outsiders of no little moment, are used merely to point bad jokes or to adorn some insignificant tale. Whether Councillor Ick or Mayor Thomson shall occupy the chair for the next twelve months seems to absorb all the attention they have to give, and to be about all they are capable of dealing with, The scenes that now invariably take place are becoming so notorious as to be not unfairly described as being "as good as a play " and are bidding fair to attract as much attention as would, if a small charge were made at the door secure an addition to the revenue of the city as well timed as it has hitherto boeu undreamt of. We do not intend to patent this suggestion. If the City Council see their way to adopt, or improvo upon it, they, individually, or as a whole, are quite welcome to the happy thought, that is now placed beforo them. It is difficult, and at any rate to us, impossible, to doal seriously with their late transactions. The whole concern can bo compared to nothing elso than the vagaries of a lot of schoolboys whoso tutor having been jumped upon, slated, or whatever the torn may bo, proceed to raise a miniature saturnalia and amuse while they annoy tho more dignified oldsters. If tho the usual prescription in such cases could bo followed, if they could be well whipped and sent to bed for a long term, tho chances are that the disgrace of the operation would soon bo forgotten, tho " propriety, prunes, and prism" of the spectators resume its usual unruffled aspect, and on their being restored to favor they would find themselves and ourselves happier and wiser men. Such a state of things is, unfortunately, not likely to come about. Tho wrangles and jangles are only initiated, not passed, and certainly not raised. Horses, marcs, and asses may come and they may go. but these wretched little disputes of the Christchurch City Council threaten, like the speeches of Councillor Wilson, to flow on for ever. We are about to do a, little of what can be had cheap in Gloucester street, and that is—gush. Modesty being our forte we hope to do our gushing gently, knowing enough of the kindly critics we are sure to meet with. Canterbury is undoubtedly the fineet country in the world. It produces the biggest, thickest, longest, and heaviest productions that can be found anywhere. The?e is not a thing from a turnip to a town politician but can bo found hero in their greatest perfection : the only trouble is people do not alwaya seem to see this. However, what, we have* now to say will be agreed to by everybody, we think. Tho Armagh street steam engine was on its way to the fire, this morning,

within three minutes utter the lire-bell rang That is good enough comment is superfluous, all we could say, in a week would not further point to the sig'.ificance of the fact thus concisely told. As a foil to this exploit, we refer our readers to our report, which says that the emergency found the Government engine confined to its b<d by such a quantity of red tape that its presence could not be procured in time to be of much use. The leather medal which, we believe, bangs somewhere in the Government hulls, should be presented to the company who ran that engine, for their promptitude.