THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1715, 19 August 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1879.

Likb most of the subjects ventured upon by the present City Council that of the designs for the new Town Hall, &c, has ended in a complete fiasco. From first to last the whole thing has been a gigantie failure, and now we are landed in this position that none of the designs sent in are to receive the premiums offered. So far as the six selected were concerned it was plain, without the services of the quantativo surveyors being called into requisition at all, that they were—as we pointed out at the time—not in the running. They so distinctly and plainly violated the cardinal condition laid down by the Council as to cost, that there was not the slightest show of reason in selecting them. But there is more in this than at first appears. It is not only that the sub-committee selected designs which practically were out of the competition entirely. Their action had a wider range than this, and as we contend now—and did so at the time—inflicted a very great injustice upon those competitors who loyally abided by the condition as to the cost for which the building was to be erected. These plans naturally showed at a disadvantage alongside of those, the authors of which, magnificently spurning to be fettered by any petty consideration of cos*., gave the reins to their imagination and produced a beautiful design. No doubt had the same latitude been taken by the authors of the designs rejected on tho first inspection, they would have been enabled to have produced equal results. As matters now stand, a number of designs have been passed over by the sub-committee dazzled as they were by the glories of "Bobbie Burns" and others of the favored six. It is hardly to be expected, with those gorgeous designs before them, that the sub-committee would examine very attentively the more prosaic looking ones, which had kept within the limit. If it be true—as is said—that among the rejected ones are several designs which would, if erected, be a credit to the city, then the injustice of the course pursued is intensified, because, having complied strictly with the conditions, the authors of them find themselves for this very reason shut out from the chance of obtaining the premium. We take it that the Council are bound to award the premium to the best of those coming within the conditions. It is true that it is stipulated that the Council shall not be bound to carry ont the premiated dosigns, but it is nowhere stated that the premium may be withheld altogether, except of course —which is taken as meant —that the whole of tho designs are of such mediocre merit as to warrant this being done. Now that this latter is tho case wo have no evidence whatever. The committee do not, so far as we can learn, appear to have considered tho relative merits of the designs relegated to obscurity. All that they seem to have done has been to compare them with tho six selected, and finding, as a matter of course under the circumstances, that the latter were infinitely superior, they at once came to a decision. The result will be that, if the Council dosiro to obtain other dosigns, they will find that gentlemen will not come forward to compete, when the body in whose hands tho decision of the matter was left so glaringly bungled the whole matter and disregarded conditions of an imperative nature framed by itself.

Thb Water Snpply Committee are still holding themselves up to the admiration both of the just and the unjust. It is true that they do not appear to have progressed much in the material business for which they were appointed, but that, of course, is the fault of the pump that refuses to como to hand, and things will

bo immediately remedied when they hare taken possession of the fire engino ! Bnt, on the other hand, they are gaining much valuable information which they will bo able to hand down as a precious heirloom to their successors, and, what is more, they appear duly grateful to those who furnish the data on which such information is based. There is something touching about the burst of gratitude with which Dr Symes' letter was received last night. "The usual results of drinking marsh water," says the Doctor, "are diarrhoea, dysentery, low fever, diseases both temporary and permanent of the liver and other organs and always a weak state of health." Immediately the Committee lapse into a state of eager expectancy and lean over the Council table breathless for what is to follow. And they are not disappointed. For tho writer proceeds—- '' It is an important fact that tho water of marshes is more unhealthy than tho air of marshes, the poison produced by decomposing vegetable matter being more concentrated in the water and more readily absorbed into the circulation." The committee are in ectacies. Here are scientific facts that can be developed at leisure. They are a committee to whom scientifical truths are particularly welcome. And here they have two really important pieces of information—not to mention minor ones—namely, that marsh water is unhealthy, and that it is readily absorbed into the circulation. No wonder that a vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Symes for his instructive and valuable letter. New light had been thrown on tho general effect of marsh water on the human frame, and tho way in which the circulation is affected by it had been delicately but judiciously treated. "Who can now say that the water supply committee does not deserve well of the ratepayers ? . " Knowledge is powor," and those medical ' facts will add materially to the peculiarly latent energy of the committee. They are evidently advancing towards their goal with rapid strides. "When, however, they shall have taken possession of the fire engine, then indeed tho public may be invited to "to stand on one side and not broatho on the glasses."