MODEST CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2071, 13 October 1880, Page 3

MODEST CHRISTCHURCH.

The Wellington ‘ Post’ fires off the following double-barrelled shot at what it is pleased to term “ Modest Christchurch” :—Last Easter a grand Volunteer Review was held in Christchurch. It was to be the biggest thing of the kind ever done in New Zealand—worthy, in foot, of the “ Cathedral city,” and immeasurably superior to the efforts of such miserable places as Dunedin and Invercargill. The scheme was ambitious, bat on the whole was successful. Immense special trains brought up thousands of volunteers from the South. Both Government steamers conveyed hundreds more from the North. Notwithstanding soma minor hitches, the affair, taking it altogether, passed off very well, and the good people of Christchurch loudly claimed the applause of the whole colony for their spirited and enterprising efforts in the matter and their hospitable entertainment of the volunteer visitors; and this credit was very generally accorded. But now it turns out that the Christchurch people have not yet paid their little bill for this successful entertainment; and more than that they have made a clamorous demand on the Government, or in other words on the colony at large—to pay the bill for them. A Christchurch deputation actually had the amazing effrontery to wait on the Premier the other day, and strenuously urge that the Government should provide the funds required, amounting to no less than £342 X2s 2d, of which £IOO was for a ball given by Christchurch to their volunteer visitors. This is hospitality with a vengeance 1 It resembles what is called the “ Yorkshire fashion,” under which invited guests pay for their own refreshments. The public of the whole colony are asked to pay for the foolish and ostentatious extravagance of Christchurch. We are not surprised that Mr Stall stood aghast at such a monstrous application. If the Christchurch people could not afford to pay for their show they ought not to have incurred such a useless expense. But, having done so, it is a piece of amazing impudence on their part attempting to foist their liabilities on the long suffering public of the colony.