The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1598, 3 April 1879, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1879.

Fire Brigade affairs do not flourish on the West Coast. Indeed, the inhabitants do not seem much to care whether their houses are burnt down or not. If they do not dance, like Nero, over the blazing rafters, they," at all events, take any catastrophe in a cheerfully philosophic spirit. At Groymouth, during the late startling outbreak of fire, the people, as the local prints aver, stood gazing at the spectacle with apathetic indifference. The Hokitika Brigade numbers at present about 10 firemen, and the West Const Times bitterly upbraids the young men of the place for their want of energy in not taking up the matter. “ What better handle to his name,” says that journal very truly, “ can a man have than the letters M.V.F.B. ? In America, a fireman enjoys especial immunities and privileges by virtue of his office. He has the right of precedence in high places, he is exempt from tho duties of juryman, his office gives him qualification to vote if he has no other. At death honors, second only to those bestowed on departed military heroes, mark his obsequies. In organisation the firemen form a power which no political party dares to disregard. It is considered an honor and a special privilege to be enrolled in the ranks, and the richest capitalists, donning their uniforms or badges, work side by side witb the humblest of their countrymen,” It is, however, in Kumara that the climax, with regard to this question of fire protection, has been reached. There the engines and appliances of tho Brigade were, a few days past, seized under a distress warrant for rent. It seems almost incredible that this should have been allowed to take place. Tho Insurance offices, one would have thought would, at least, have stepped in. Nothing of the sort. The plant was seized upon. The Mayor then called a public meeting to consider the financial position of the Brigade, but so little interest was taken in tho matter and the attendance was so meagre, that tho meeting was adjourned sine die. However, at a special meeting of the Borough Counoil matters wore at last arranged, and the plant of the Brigade rescued from tho clutches of tho law. Such is life at the present juncture on the West Coast. Happy in philosophic indifference nothing comes amiss to the residents —not even a general conflagration.

It has been discovered (says a Homo paper) that the electric light has a particular effect on patients suffering from catalepsy and other nervous complaints; the sort of invalids who are especially prized as “ mediums ” and mesmeric subjects. Profossor Charcot, of thoSalpetriere at Paris, after making a series of experiments with the Drummond electric light on a number of hysterical subjects, found that a patient placed before a very bright electric light, fell usually after some seconds, occasionally not until after throe minutes, but in some cases instantaneously, iuto an aiucstliotic condition, to

which ho gives the name of “ lethargy.” Tlio subject of this treatment stands as if fascinated, perfectly motionlosss, and with fixed staring eyes. The limbs are stiff, but not so rigid that they cannot bo moved, and they preserve whatever position may bo given to them. The patients neither see nor hear. In vain the operator speaks to them or makes signs; all communication between them and the outer world seems to bo at an end. Meanwhile, the features take the expression of the gestures. 3ive to the patients a menacing or tragic attitude, and the eyebrows become knitted ; close the hands as if in prayer, and the eyes assume a meek and resigned expression. According to this, a pleasing feature in the future lighting of our streets will bo the congregation round the lamp posts of all afflicted with nervous complaints, who in menacing and other striking attitudes will form an interesting addition to the sights of the night. Apparently they will remain round the attractive luminary till “ daylight doth appear,” or till they are removed by friends, the inspector of nuisances, or the police.

There appears likely to bo a split in tho Garibaldian camp. Monotti Garibaldi is bont on loading 3000 Italians to settle in Now Guinea towards tho end of tho year. Papa Garibaldi, on tho other hand, as will bo soon by to-day’s cablegrams, violently opposos tho scheme. No wonder lie does so. All the Now Guinea expeditions hitherto undertaken have come to such a disastrous end that it is not in tho least probable that a settlement attempted by a nation unaccustomed to colonising operations will prove a success. General Garibaldi is not noted for his political wisdom and moderation of tone. As a man of action he is probably unsurpassed ; but ask his opinion, or place a pen in his hand, and you are likely to hear or see something peculiar. In tho case under consideration, however, he appears to have been giving sound advice. If his “ hopeful ” will only follow it, he may be saved from imitating a certain false prophet of whom we have read, who led a band of trusty followers away from their ordinary pursuits to perish in the desert.

The Now Plymouth Town Council aro in a quondary. They recently passed a bylaw that forbids piggeries within the boundaries of the town, an edict that brought consternation among not a few of the ratepayers. One of them wrote a serious remonstrance to the Council on the subject, while another said that such an important by-law should not have boon passed without notice. The gravity of the position was fully recognized by the Council. The civic soul was stirred to its depths at the thought that such succulent food might bo injured by their rash edict. It was decided not to take proceeding against people keeping pigs for four mouths after the by-law came in force. This interval would, it was considered, allow the pigs to mature into bacon and hams for civic consumption.