THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1579.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1662, 18 June 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1579.

It is, wo think, vory much to ho regretted that the City Council on Monday night declined to accept tho olivo branch —so to speak—hold out by tho Sydenham Borough Council respecting the formation of tho South town bolt. As wo pointed out in a formor article, tho proposition of tho City Council to which thoy so tonaciously adhere simply moans tho expenditure of somo £720, out of which only £GO or £7O would go to unskilled labor. And really wo do not see why tho Council should so rigidly insist on tho formation of tho concrete channelling at onco. Tho Sydonham Council have offered fairly. Thoy say they will bo bound to keep the existing sido channels clean, so that they will bo no nuisance. This is prccisoly what will have to bo done by somebody now ponding tho settlement of tho matter. Thus by holding out, tho City Council do not '" -anco matters one iota. On tho vory not,, ary Wol . k ])Q - W g t ] ono j 3y arrangement .. hyeeu tllQ two Councils for what appears ■„ ug only a my thical advantago aftor all. rr e trust tliat OVOII yot thoro may bo a cll. ICO 0 f tuo C ; ty Council agreeing to tho vms 0 f t } le Sydonham Council, so that tlibf ornia^on of tho belt and footpaths may at m ICC be proceeded with.

It is with much pleasure that we observe tho members of the City Council at last taking action with regard to the extension of tho hours of the public lamps being allowed to burn. But, while this is so, wo desire to correct an error mado by Councillor Jenkins in speaking to tho question. Tliat gentleman said that if tho lamps wero allowed to burn two hours longer than at present, tho cost would be doublo what it now is. Wo havo mado onquiries at tho offico of tho Gas Company and find that, in saying this, Councillor Jenkins was altogether in error. What may have misled him is the

fact that some time ago a correspoEdeuce took place between the Gas Company and tho Council, when it was proposed to keep the lights burning from sunset to sunrise. Then it was staled genorally that the cost of such an arrangement would bo about double. But, as it will bo at once seen, it is quite a different affair whon only two hours' extension is required. Of course there will bo an increase in the cost, but wo contend that the additional security afforded to life and property, as well as tho comfort to those wayfarers whoso business keeps thorn abroad in tho small hours, will more than repay tho extra cost. In no other city in Now Zoaland is tho practice followed of extinguishing the public lamps at so early an hour as they aro in Ohristchurch, and wo hope tho lighting committee will make some arrangements with the Gas Company by which tho required extension can bo obtained. This is tho moro to be desired, as it will be observed that tho request is made by desiro of tho Commissioner of Police.

The citizens of Ohristchurch aro threatened with a serious loss, and, as yet, aro unconscious of their doom. Why so important a rovelation as tho ono wo are about to announce to the startled burgesses should not have been made in tho morning journals wo aro unable to say. Perhaps the gentlemen whoso pleasing privilege it is to catch the pearls of eloquenco which fall from the lips of tho Councillors, and scatter them abroad on tho wings of tho press, wore considerate. They probably did not wish, at the opening of the day, to be tho bearers of such mournful intelligence. Not to trifle longer with the feelings of our readers, let us then, having duly prepared their minds for the shock, desolate their hearts by the startling news that the Demosthenic circle of tho City Council is in danger of losing its brightest ornament —Councillor Wilson. On Monday evening, with that oleaginous flow of language for which Councillor Wilson is roaownod, ho informed his terrorstricken colleagues that he had boon requested to come forward as Councillor for an adjacent Borough. And not only this, but that higher dignities awaited him; for, if ho graciously consented, ho was promised to bo oloctod as Mayor. It appears to us that this is a doep-laid conspiracy on the part of the Sydenham Council—a scheme of revenge for the obstinacy of the Council as regards the South town belt. They desiro to remove to the Sydenham firmament the bright particular star which now shines with such effulgence in tho City Council. But, if wo gauge the feelings of tho ratepayers aright, they will not sit down quietly under such treatment. They will never allow their chosen champien to bo thus enticed into the ranks of an opposition Borough. Rather than this, an overwhelming majority will doubtless beg Cr. Wilson to once moro take up the Municipal sceptre, and rule over Christchurch as of yore —King William I. Already the suburban borough, to which reference has been made, is said to be in a flutter of dolight at the thought of the approaching honour to bo done to it. No doubt flags will bo hoisted and the Borough bo en fete when it is known that Cr. Wilson has consented to join tho Sydenham Council. Tho Council itself, doubtless, will participate in the universal joy, and will postpone the hour of closing its meetings to 1 or even 2 a.m., so as to obtain the full bonefit of tho flow of eloquence of its now member. There may be—for 11 great men, however pure and noble their ends and aims, have their enemies—envious residents of Ohristchurch who will rejoice at tho approaching departure of tho verbose and florid tribune. But numbers, we feel sure, will weep tears in rivers, and clothe themselves in sackcloth and ashes. Truo eloquence is such a rare gift, true disinterestedness such a scarcity, that when a groat exponent of both qualities talks about transferring himself from amongst us into another sphere, universal grief must bo tho result. Sydenham may indeed be congratulated. It will soon, perhaps, bo provided with a continued intellectual treat and with a dignitary, who, if ho does not on all occasions quite stand by the letter of his engagements, will always at least bo provided with an argument to explain the i-oason.