THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1880. THE MARKET.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2040, 7 September 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1880. THE MARKET.

We arc glad to find that the City Council are becoming impressed with the necessity of considering the subject of a permanent market for Christchurch. Some time ago, in remarking upon the establishment of the present encampment in tho Market Place, we took occasion to suggest that the proper course to have pursued would have been to erect at once a structure somewhat ornamental without being too costly. Tho experiment of a market has been tried, and, though advocating at the first the wisdom of carrying out the plan indicated, yet perhaps tho experience gained during the term of the leases granted has not been unprofitable. It has proved that a market oven in the primitive style now established is a public boon, and that, therefore, any further improvement may he regarded with favor. More than this, it shows that such a project as we have advocated will bo self-supporting, if not, indeed, a source of revenue to the city, to say nothing of the improvement in the way of sightliness. The Reserves Committee, it will he noticed, propose an alternative course, viz., that a company should be invited to take the matter up. If this could bo done no doubt tho Council would be relieved of a good deal of work, but we would point out to them that, even supposing a company undertook it, the Council are hound to exercise a general supervision over the market in tho interests of the citizens. Thus perhaps not much, after all, would he gained by letting the reserve for a term of years to a company. Of the recouping in a short time of any expenditure in reason that the Council may go to, there can bo no doubt, aud there is an additional reason why the Council should retain so valuable a site in their own hands, and that is, the probability of it being required for Corporation purposes. Taking, then, the whole question and looking at the fact that a handsome per coutage could be made out of the market, besides returning the cost of the building, we hope the Council will see their way clear to keep it in their own hands. They must, as we have pointed out, exercise a general supervision, oven if a company is formed, and the little additional responsibility necessitated by it being a Corporation market, will bo amply compensated by other advantages.

THE SOUTH BELT CAB STAND.

The public must have been taken somewhat by surprise on reading the explanation given last night by Councillor Bishop respecting the recent dispute between the Tramway Company and the cabmen. This surprise has been, if possible, intensified by the evidence given in the Magistrate’s Court by the City Surveyor. The two things go to prove what we have on more than one occasion asserted, that the present Council know literally nothing of the actual position of affairs with regard to the tramway. Here wo have a glaring deviation from the official plans, unauthorised in any way, known to an officer of the City Council, and also, as it must be presumed, to the Works Committee, allowed to go on unchecked. If the Works Committee did not know of it, then they were neglecting their duty. To them the Council look for all matters connected with the works of the city, and surely tho unauthorised cutting through a proclaimed cabstand—more particularly when two, at least, of tho members of tbo present Council were cognizant of the fact that the line, as granted, went clear of it —should at once have been noticed. The explanation of tho City Surveyor is exceedingly funny. Ho knew that the deviation was being made quite opposed to tho official plans, but he did not report it because his reports respecting tramway matters bad not received much attention. Surely it was his duty, even supposing this to be the case, to call attention to it. and it would then rest between the Council and tho ratepayers if tho former took no notice of it. The whole course of matters with regard to the Tramway shows that the Council, from some reason or other, has failed to take up that position which, in the interests of the citizens, it ought to do. Mr. John Evans Brown has been master of the situation, and be has been allowed, practically, to do as be pleased. There could scarcely be a more glaring instance of this fact than the case under notice. The official plans wore in tbo custody of the Council. A line is laid down iu direct contravention of these plans upon which the concession was granted. All these facts must have been known, and yet, until the cabmen take up a certain course of action, not a word is said. Such a state of things we cannot but think is scarcely creditable to tho Council, and shows a disregard to tbo interests of tbo citizens, which is, to say the least of it, somewhat surprising.

SIR G. GREY AND SIR A. GORDON. The advent to Now Zealand as Governor of one who is stated to he a dear friend of Sir G. Grey will be of interest to others besides tho late Premier. Sir G. Grey’s antipathy to Governors in general, to the British Government, to a nominated governorship, and indeed to everything except a state of affairs which would eventuate in ho (Sir G. Grey) being appointed the first elected Governor of New Zealand, will put his friendship to a severe test. Will he find the heart to clasp Sir A. Gordon to his manly bosom, when, in so doing, he enfolds thereby tho typo of all that his soul abhors. Will he whisper in Sir Arthur’s ear : the Governor”; or will he leave tho embrace uncomplete and mutter : “ Bah ! methinks the odor of nomination is too strong.” Should friendship indeed overcome Sir G. Grey’s hatred of the office, what delights he will have to forgo. The thousand and one slights with which, in office and out of office, he has been wont to favor the representative of her Majesty will have all to be abandoned. No ! we cannot think that so groat a sacrifice will bo made. Sir G. Grey has quarrelled with his dearest friends before now, as Mr. Sheehan well knows, and if within a year Sir Goorga and Sir Arthur Gordon are not at daggers drawn, we will consent to agree with Mr. Cass, that the end is not far off.