THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1827, 30 December 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1879.

The Justices of the Peace for the district of Christchurch have met to consider the question of the recent riot, and have arrived at a certain resolution regarding party processions. It is to rocommond to the Government that legislation should take place on the matter, and that the direction of such legislation should bo the obtaining of the sanction of the authorities before any proeession of a party nature should tako place, and that certain notice should be given. Of the wisdom of these restrictions, and the necessity which exists for their enforcement there can be no doubt. But while we are legislating upon a subject so nearly affecting tlio peace, order, and good government of the community, would it not bo just as well to make such legislation smooth, uniform, and effective? As will be seen, it is proposed to obtain the sanction of the authorities after notice has been given. The authority which is to exorcise the right of granting permission is not specified, but assume it, for sake of argument, to be tho Mayor of the city as its chief magistrate. Now, it seems to us that it would be a very unpleasant and invidious task to cast upon the Mayor, namely, the taking tho responsibility of refusing or granting the permission sought for. Besides it might happen that the authority from whom would emanate the fiat was [a strong partisan. It will, therefore, be clear to our readers that tho object of the legislation sought for might in somo cases bo defeated. If legislation is necessary, lot tho Legislature bo asked to pass a law on the subject shunting the responsibility on no man or set of men, but laying down a broad and even rule applicable to tho whole country at all times, quite irrespective of what the views of this or that authority in any particular town may happen to be. In dealing with such matters as these, no half measures should be allowed to bo taken. The growth amongst us of party strife, and of party bitterness must bo checked in the bud. Tho only effectual method of doing so is apparently the removal of the cause by prohibiting absolutely any such public display of party emblems as the Legislature may, after due consideration, consider as likely to raise the passions of those unthinking men who have to bo legislated for as if they were so many larrikins.

The present disgraceful state of the River Avon has called forth on all sides the greatest condemnation, but apparently without effect. Tho boating clubs have had for weeks past to postpone their matches simply because it is imposible to row on the river from its being choked up with weeds. Tho Drainage Board have taken the matter in hand, so far as giving a contract for clearing goes, but there does not appear to be the requisite amount of supervision exercised so as to prevent the almost total stoppage of the river which now exists, So far as can be seen of tho modus operandi, the contractor works in a very happy-go-lucky manner, and the weeds are for a great part allowed to drift down the stream and form islands impeding the navigation. The long weeds at the bottom of the river, which are by far the most obnoxious, appear still to grow luxuriantly. Not only is boating on tho river rendered almost impossible, and that too at a season of the year when it is most enjoyable, but the weeds being left in islands to rot, form fertile sources of disease. We hope that some steps will be taken to bring under the notice of the Drainage Board the inconvenience caused by the manner in which the work of clearing tho river is performed. In addition to the evil of having islands of rotting vegetation, the whole bed of the river is raised by the anacharis, and the low lying parts of the land adjacent to the river haveboen, and still are liable to be, flooded. Indeed, in many parts, even now, the river has found its way over the road. Besides, there is another danger to bo noted, which has been alluded to by correspondents in our contemporaries. Suppose a boat to be upset in the midst of the weeds, what chance would the unlucky occupants have of saving themselves ? None whatsoever. To allow such a state of things to continue seems to us to be monstrous. If tho contractor is to blame, then the remedy is easy. If ho is carrying out his contract and it fails to clear the river effectually, then the duty of tho Board, enlightened by what is taking place, will be to take such measures as will remedy the state of affairs at present existing. The perfunctory manner in which the contractors now work is simply ridiculous. They merely scratch the surface, so to speak, and expect the weeds to disappear. Tho public certainly do not share in their sanguine expectations.