THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1960, 5 June 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1880.

The City Council set up for being an active body—a body of men with their weather eyes open to an almost inordinate extent. They are supposed to combine the wisdom of the serpent with the purity of intention that characterises the dove. And yet there are occasions on which they seem to be unaccountably blind to the interests of the city over whose destinies they preside. Take the case of the city reserves for instance. The city possesses an estate of 2000 acres at Geraldine, and upwards of 1000 acres, in all, on the Sandhills, and yet what has been done with this valuable property ? Next door to nothing. With regard to the Geraldine estate, \\ e understand that steps are being taken to utilise the land there. There has been much delay in the matter, but the Council, we believe, are about to put their shoulders to the wheel and make their property bring in a return. But with respect to the Sandhills reserves they seem to think that no- 1

thing can. bo mado out of them. Now on this point we hare a suggestion to make, and we have much pleasure in presenting it to the Council. We certainly thisk that advantage might be taken of “ the Act to encourage the planting of Forest Trees,” and that plantations might be made on the Sandhills of pines, Scotch firs, and other suitable trees. That these trees will grow there excellently is well known. And plantations of this description will give several advantages to the city. In the first place, when fully grown, their intrinsic value will bo something very considerable. Then the growth of the trees will improve the land itself. And lastly, by the provisions of the Act above quoted for every acre so planted, the planter is entitled to receive a free grant of two acres, which may be open for sale within the province in which the trees are planted. There is certainly a limit to the amount to be granted, but still to the amount of plantation that would entitle them to such limit, it appears to us that the Council might very well go. They could obtain the trees for nothing from the Public Domain, and the cost of fencing would be shared by the tenant on, or proprietor of, the adjoining estate. Indeed, the more looked into the more easy does the plan appear to bo capable of being worked out. Suitable land is there lying idle ; the trees are to be procured for nothing; half the expense of the fencing is provided for; two acres will be given for every acre planted. What more can a wide-awake Council require P It is Lombard street to a china orange in favour of the idea.

The winter season is now well on us, and, in consequence, wo presume that the usual number of parish entertainments and so-called penny readings will shortly take place to assist in filling up the evenings profitably and pleasantly. We say “ profitably and pleasantly,” because that is the ostensible purpose of these meetings, and indeed there is no reason whatsoever why these terms should not be applied to entertainments of the nature aliudod to. But in point of fact do parish meetings and readings fulfil the conditions that might well bo expected of them. We fancy not, and for this reason: —That the individuals who are invited to amuse their fellowcreatures do not recognise the responsibility that is thrust upon them. Wo are not so much complaining of the musical part of the entertainment, because it is impossible to make oneself a first class singer at a moment’s notice. The talent available for the occasion is invited to h*ld forth, and it does so to the best of its ability. It chooses the songs it knows best, prepares itself with voice lozenges, mounts the stage with more or less trepidation, and leaves the result in the hands of Providence. Enthusiastic friends cheer loudly and all is over. But the matter is not the same with regard to the gentlemen who are invited to give ‘‘ readings.” Although a mau may not be a professional reader, it is possible for him, with careful study, to give an intelligent and highly pleasing rendering of a skilful author. But the text must be studied, the intonation of voice considered, even the gesture must be thought of. A total dependence on the book should not be necessary, for expression is impossible with the eyes glued to the page. In short, to road a passage properly requires a" considerable amount of study. But what, in nine cases out of ton, do the gentlemen do who are invited to instruct and amuse suffering humanity at penny readings ? They consent to perform, dismiss the affair from their minds to the eleventh hour, then seize on the first piece that may suggest itself, either confident that their own innate genius will enable them to astonish the natives, or satisfied that it is not a matter of much importance whether they read well or badly, for that a strong body of personal friends will lino the benches. To the gentlemen who conclude that their genius will carry them through the ordeal with flying colours we have nothing to say, for the simple reason that it is never of the slightest use talking to such extremely gifted people; but to the other class wo would venture to suggest that it matters very considerably whether they read well or badly. Both for their own sates and the sake of their audience, it is highly desirable that the affair should in reality bo a brilliant success. It is nothing to the point that people will agree to be trepanned into over heated and over-crowded rooms times out of number irrespective of the quality of the entertainment to be offered. It is none the less an insult to the audience to come unprepared before them, and none the less does the performer lose an opportunity of improving, instructing, or amusing his hearers, as well as of strengthening his own powers. In point of fact, audiences on these occasions are much too goodnatured. The performers give their services for nothing, and are consequently allowed to do as they like. But an honorary position is not necessarily without obligations, and the sooner the individuals who undertakes to hold forth recognise this fact, the better for all concerned.