PETER THE POET.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2080, 23 October 1880, Page 3

PETER THE POET.

Peter the poet was found asleep in a stonecutter’s yard. Indeed, he was reposing in the shade of a head stone on which “ Sacred to the Memory ” had already been carved. It was a mild drunk. He was loaded into a waggon and drawn down without disturbing his dreams, and not a word was heard from ham all night. When daylight came he borrowed a pencil and began writing a poem, and at eight o’clock he had finished sixtyseven verses. He had it in his hand as he came ont, and when his Honor stated the charge the prisoner read—- “ There was a young man named Peter; His mother he went out to meet ’er, But be took with a chill, and fell very ill. And therefore he didn’t quite greet ’or.” “Do you plead guilty or not guilty?” asked the Court.

For answer the prisoner read the second verse—- “ And Peter he made such a winking, The coppers thonght he had been drinking, And they gave him the look with many a knock, But were sadly mistaken, I’m thinking.” “Is that your poetry f’ asked the Court. “Yes, sir, every word of it,” was the proud reply. “ Then yon go up for thirty days.” “All right, sir, replied Peter, and he turned to the last verse and read—- “ And Peter, alas ! though so gifted, For a long thirty days he was lifted, ’Causa his Honor felt sure his case it would cure, When the evidence came to be sifted.”

THE HAG-LEY PARK ROADS.

The adjourned conference in relation to the maintenance of the Hagley Park roads was held in the Selwyn County Council offices yoaterdoy afternoon. There were present— Mr Lee, chairman of the Selwyn County Council (in the chair), and Dr. Turnbull, his colleague; the Mayor of Christchurch and Mr Lambert, representing the city ; Mr H. J. Hall, Mr Boag, delegates from the Biooarton Bead Board; and Mr Wilson, chairman of the Avon Boad Board, The Chairman invited opinions from those present on the subject they had met to discuss, and mentioned that he had, with Dr. Turnbull’s assistance, drawn up certain proposals, which he should be prepared to submit to the conference later on. Mr Hall remarked that from what he could

gather it appeared to him that the County Council were not taking the legal view of the case in ignoring the maintenance of the Hagley Park roads. These roads used to be main* tained by the Provincial Government, and were in due coarse taken over by the County Council on the abolition of provincialism. He moved—“ That this conference recommends that the Selwyn County Council maintain the roads through the Park as hitherto, and that the roads forming the boundaries of the Park be treated aa boundary roads, in accordance with clause 62 of the Boads Ordinance and the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, clause 188,’’

The Chairman asked. How about the Lin. coin road ?

Mr Hall thought that that should bo maintained jointly by the City and Selwyn County Council.

The Mayor of Christchurch approved of the resolution, which embodied the scheme he had sketched out at the first meeting, and of which the City Council on Monday last expressed their entire approval. But he wished to say that the position must be thoroughly defined, and, as he understood it, the County Council must be responsible for the formation, alteration and maintenance of the Lincoln road to the extent of one-half the cost, the City Council bearing the other half. If that should be decided on, he felt confident that the City Council would give their consent. He would second the motion on the condition that the legal position should be thus established.

Mr Hall suggested that the Municipal Corporations Act defined it. The Mayor pointed out that they had opposing opinions on the subject from two firms of solicitors. The Chairman asked whether the Council still thought it necessary to go into the responsibility of lowering the level of the Lincoln road.

The Mayor said it seemed a desirable object on sanitary grounds, hot the Council would not think of it unless the County Council consented to bear half the cost.

The Chairman pointed out that the Act did not contemplate any expenditure *of the county funds for such a purpose. Mr Wilson—That is a settled point. I have had legal advice on the siibiect myself.

At this stage an arrangement was made, by which Mr Boag seconded the motion of Mr Hall, as the Mayor wished to be left free till the position of the several bodies should be definitely ascertained. At the same time the proposal met with bis approval, provided the conditions mentioned by him could be fulfilled.

Mr Lee (the chairman) said he bad looked over the matter with Dr. Turnbull, and they had come to a conclusion which he thought would be acceptable to the Selwyn County Council. These proposals ho had drawn np in writing, and were as follows : 1. That by Order in Council the Selwyn County Council take over the maintenance and repairs of Park roads, namelv —The Lincoln road, from the South belt to Antigua street ; the Saleyards road, from Lincoln road to Bicoarton road ; Biccarton road, from city boundary to Plough Inn ; and road by Wood’s mill, from Plough Inn to Carlton Bridge; and that the interest of the Selwyn County Council be strictly confined to the maintenance and repairs of such roads upon the present levels, whilst the City Council’s interest in Lincoln road and bridge to Carlton road be as at present. 2. That the Selwyn County Council (as representing the inhabitants generally of the late Canterbury province) contribute to tbe cost of such maintenance and repair in the proportion of onehalf of the annual cost, the City Council in proportion of one-third, and tbe Biccarton Eoad Board in the proportion of one-sixth, and that such annual expenditure be limited to the sum of £3OO. 3. That any legal powers necessary to enable the foregoing arrangements to be carried out by the several bodies held to be interested, shall be sought for in the next session of Parliament, and that in tbe meantime tho Selwyn County Council continue responsible for maintenance and repairs as at present. And that should any unforeseen difficulties arise to prevent the carrying out of the proposed arrangement, all matters shall be held to revert to the present position without prejudice to any of the bodies now seeking to arrange. 4. That with reference to the present management of the Park and Domain, the trustees be asked to obtain power to add to their body the Mayor of Christchurch, the Mayor of Sydenham, the chairman of the Bicoarton Boad Board, and the chairman and one member of the Selwyn County Council. That the foregoing resolutions be adopted by this conference and submitted to the several bodies concerned as a basis for mutual agreement,” Dr. Turnbull seconded the amendment.

The Mayor of Christchurch characterised the proposal as unfair to the city. Considering the amount of road for which they were responsible, it was unjust to ask them to pay one-third the cost of maintenance.

Tho Chairman said the City Council did not appear to appreciate tbe position occupied by the citizens in reference to the park. They had far more interest in it than any of the outside bodies.

The Mayor pointed out that the city paid largely (through charitable aid) for the maintenance of the Domain, no less than £2O a week being paid to the old men engaged in such work. The Chairman submitted that the other bodies might take up the same line of argument, as they all contributed to charitable aid, and if the old men were not so engaged they would doubtless be otherwise employed out of charitable aid.

Mr Wilson suggested that the County Council, having power to levy rates over the whole of the districts, were the parties most likely to deal with the question equitably for all parties concerned. Either that or, perhaps s better plan still, they might endeavour to get the roads annexed to the city and give the City Council the necessary powers to maintain them. *

The Mayor raised the question whether Mr Wilson had any locus standi at the Conference, eo far as the Avon Boad Board was concerned.

The map was consulted, from which it appeared that the Avon district was not interested, and Mr Wilson then retired.

Some farther discussion then ensued as to the amendment.

Mr Lambert said he was positive the proposal would not meet with the approval of the City Council. There were about 4£ miles involved, and the Council were only concerned to the extent of half-a-mile, and yet they were asked to contribute a third of the coat of maintenance. He also pointed out that the Council bad already spent about £3OO on this road for the public convenience, Mr Leo again pointed out that the city was most largely interested. Mr Lambert contended that the other local bodies were equally interested. In reply to the Mayor, Mr Lee said the Council was certainly not agreed to spend any money in altering the level of the Lincoln road.

The Mayor—Then it is needless for Mr Lambert or myself to remain here, as that was a condition distinctly imposed by the Council. They could not under present circumstances vote for the resolution or the amendment.

The Chairman said it was a pity to close the meeting without coming to a resolution. The Mayor said be saw no other course open to him under the circumstances. He then retired, accompanied by Mr Lambert. The Chairman remarked that a resolution of those remaining would have no practical effect.

It wae therefore resolved to adjourn the Conference for one week.