The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1640, 23 May 1879, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1879.

The paragraphs which now and thou find thoir way into the local papers respecting the state of tho Resident Magistrate’s Court ought surely to direct the attention of tho Government to tho necessity which exists for the erection of a now and more commodious building. Time after time the subject has been brought before them, both by tho members for the city and the public papers, aud yet nothing is done. Some months back our hearts were gladdened by the report that a sum of money had boon appropriated for the purpose, and that the work would be proceeded with. But, like many other similar statements of the Government, this proved to ho delusive, and justice in Christchurch is dispensed in a building which would not be considered good enough for a barn on any well conducted farm. Tho roof is as leaky as a sieve. Tho whole place is in a disgracefully dilapidated state, aud tho accommodation for tho officials wretchedly insufficient. If this undesirable state of things wore unknown to the Government wo should not fool so strongly on the matter, hut really matters have now reached such a pitch that the public should make a strong protest against the continuance of such a neglect of their repeated applications for the erection of a suitable building, That tho present building should have so long been allowed to exist in a city of such pretensions as Christchurch speaks volumes for the longsuffering nature of its people. For years past those charged with the administration of justice here have sat in a fetid fever-laden atmosphere in summer, and in winter have been compelled to use all manner of shifts to avoid the damp. The officials, with tho large and daily increasing business of the Court to transact, are stowed away in places little better than rabbit hutches, so that it is utterly impossible for them to discharge their duties to tho public efficiently. We are aware that all these facts are now being rehearsed for perhaps tho fiftieth time, but it has come to this —that, unless tho public bestir themselves, the present Court will be used until it collapses from sheer rottenness. The City Council were remarkably energetic in promoting an agitation in favour of holding Parliament in Christchurch, hut seem to he quite blind to an evil that stares them in the face every day, and which lies more legitimately within their sphere of operations. They should urge upon the Government the immediate and pressing necessity for a new Court House. This is a thing in which we are all vitally interested, because a most important department of the public service is crippled by tho utter want of accommodation wherein to carry out its duties. We in Christchurch are also, in a minor degree, interested in sweeping away from our midst a building which certainly reflects no credit upon us. It ?eems to us that tho City Council might very profitably employ some of the time they are now so lavish with in bringing pressure to hear upon tho Government to put an end to tho present most unsatisfactory and undesirable state of things with respect tq tko administration of justice in Christchurch.

WITHOUT wishing to enter into the discussion of tho subject of the granting or refusing of public-house licenses in the Borough of Sydenham, it may bo noticed that the proper method has certainly not been applied for obtaining a satisfactory and equitable decision on the subject. What 'may bq termed the temperance party —a party that must command much public sympathy —have held their meeting, and resolutions have gone forth as representing the feelings of those ratepayers of Sydenham who are averse to any more licenses being granted. The meeting was orderly in tho extreme, and the speakers were pretty unanimous. Under ordinary circumstances it would bo supposed that, having carried their point, the Good Templar party would bo satisfied, and that they would allow tho other side to have their say uninterrupted. But so far as can be gathered from what took place at tho meeting on Wednesday evening, the temperance forces were again marshalled to the breach, and, it appears to us, most unnecessarily. The elements of discord wore introduced, and consoquently tho side whose opinions the mooting was convened to hoar had no opportunity of speaking. While especially guarding ourselves from espousing, under tho present aspect of affairs, either one side or the other, wo certainly think it is only right that both parties should have an equal chance of putting their opinions before tho public. We would desire to point out to our friends the Good Templars that there is such a thing as an excess of zeal even in a good cause, and their side of tho case can only bo damaged if they do not agree that the matter shall be fought out in a perfectly fair and impartial manner. The whole principle of Local Option must suffer if its adherents do not act with self-restraint. It seems to us that tho solution of tho question is easy. Lot both parties agree, without using inil nonce, to test whether the ratepayers are ip favour o a against tbs granting of

additional licenses, oitlier by ballot ov a poll taken by moans of voting papers The opinion of the district, for or against, can then bo recorded, free from the bias and warmth of feeling which must naturally arise in a public meeting.