THE GLOBE. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1881. ABOUT THE BANQUET.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2199, 14 March 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1881. ABOUT THE BANQUET.

Of all public ceremonies, except funerals, about which there is generally admitted to be a striking family likeness, the public dinner or banquet is the least original in design and most drearily monotonous in action that will occur to the mind of any ordinary mortal of mundane experiences. Like the faces of the Chinese, they are so painfully alikeeven to the bad sherry and cheap cigars —that the “ banqueter ” might well be pardoned for getting a little mixed occasionally on the subject of identify, supposing him to be in the habit of going through a course of banquets, which is a very dreadful thing to contemplate, even in imagination. An exception has occurred, however, by which also the rule is proved. That given in honor of the Governor’s visit was in its way a novelty. In the first place, it has been ascertained on careful enquiry of the most reliable sources, that none of the speakers made use of the expression, “ This is the proudest moment of my life,” which in itself affords a very lively and improving indication of some subtle revolution in the range of thought common to the English-speaking race. But this, though not unimportant, is a cipher in the sura of originality presented by the banquet in question. It appeared that most of the speakers had mot there as on a common platform for the purpose of entering into personal explanations, or dilating on their grievances, such elocutionary efforts being more or less humorous or eccentric, like those of some celebrated actors, according to their particular frame of mind at the time. His Excellency the Governor discovered in the occasion an excellent opportunity to take the public of Canterbury into his confidence touching his views of governing semi-barbaric tribes, as compared with the exercise of similar authority over people moving in an advanced state of civilisation, by whom, it may bo necessary to state, he meant the people of New Zealand and white men similarly situated. From his Excellency’s speech it may bo gathered by the fancifully inclined, that ho had been “ coached ” by intimates or advisors as to certain dark suspicions supposed to have been haunting the public mind regarding a possible tendency towards despotic performances in the gubernatorial soul, —such as might be exercised with much propriety in a society of gentlemen whose pastime consists in puncturing their white neighbors with homemade implements of war, and whose costumes are arranged on the most pristine principles; but such as might be deemed irksome by the free and independent ones of these enlightened reilms. It might also have occurred to the cunningly disposed that the attachment to his Excellency’s person of a foreign gentleman, betraying marked evidences of a dusky origin, and who, moreover, bears an unpronounceable name, portended something disastrous to the peace and comfort of society. Be that as it may, his Excellency did his best to dispel such dark forebodings, and fold the revellers surrounding him on that occasion —what perhaps they might, with a little mental effort, have found out for themselves—that having, in effect, come to Rome, it was his obvious duty and interest to conform to the usages of the Romans. Seriously speaking, we fail to seo the necessity of regarding his Excellency’s assurances, or reassurances, as bearing any political significance, or as being in any way demanded of him by his newly-acquired position. But, from the banqueting point of view, it is very

satisfactory, no doubt. Colonet Brett, 1 as usual, had something to say about the army, and was terribly severe, if slightly incoherent, in speaking of the management of the English military department. On this occasion he did not abuse the Volunteers, the which manifestation of considerate good nature was, no doubt, referable to tbo genial character of his surroundings, the company having already pronounced, in independent chords, somebody to be “ a jolly good fellow.” Dr. Forster, who responded for the Bar, of which there were several representatives present, delivered what, from the reputation of that gentleman, wo have every reason to believe was a highly improving discourse; it only possessed one trifling defect, which was, that the largo majority of his audience could not hear a word he said. It is understood that the learned gentleman was some distance from his peroration when he sat down, owing to a manifest desire on the part of the banqueters to hear what the next gentleman had to say. The Premier, who commenced with a modest admission of his inability to make an after-dinner speech, made one of the best speeches of the kind on record. He said much, which meant absolutely nothing. Mr Stevens made an orthodox speech (in the light of such gatherings)—he was witty; his Honor Mr, Justice Johnston summed up on two subjects with forensic aptitude; and Major Lean consoled himself with a growl for and on behalf of the colonial volunteers, whose capitation, though not their occupation, is gone. On the whole, the banquet to his Excellency was a unique affair, and will possibly bo remembered as such by many present, when in the fullness of time there shall come to us, as no doubt there will, anether Governor.

POLICE MAGISTRATES AND THE

POLICE,

In all well regulated communities there should bo sympathy of action and mutual assistance between the police and the magistrates with whom they are brought in contact in the course of their duty as guardians of the public peace, and, to some extent, controllers of social morality. This bond, not of unity, hut of courtesy and duty, is not recognised by a large majority of the magistrates who occupy the benches of our Police Courts in the colony, and it has been frequently a matter of private remark, though not of public comment, in Christchurch. The conscientious policeman has a very onorous 1 and difficult duty to perform. He is a public servant in the completest sense of 1 the term, and is, perhaps, reached sooner by the displeasure of the public than any other civil servant in the great, varied catalogue of Government officials. His office is of that nature which exposes him to the criticisms of the vulgar and the refined alike. The former, incapable of appreciating the requirements of social economy, and too idle to reason from the stand-points of good feeling and common sense, generally regard the policeman with a feeling akin to dislike, whilst a section of them evince open hostility towards him; and from the latter — i.e., the ■ refined class of society—he too frequently meets with contemptuous indifference, instead of the encouragement and assistance which—when it is theirs to give—they ought most unquestionably to extend to him. Thus, the constable is exposed to some trials and difficulties, under which ha might well be excused for becoming an easy-going member of society, content to swim with the tide, whichever way it may set in. But to many men in the force such a course would be impossible, because unendurable. They may have ambition, and apathy would at once destroy hope of promotion. Hence, the man who enters the police force as another man adopts a profession, with the chance and determination, if possible, to make it a means of advancement, has to steer very carefully in order to clear the rocks and shoals of official life. One of the moat frequent drawbacks in the office of a policeman, ha he a sergeant or only a constable on the heat, is the passive hut consistent snubbing he receives at the hands of magistrates, which brings us to the proposition with which these remarks were begun. There seems to bo a want of that sympathy between the Bench and the force which undoubtedly ought to exist. The Police Magistrate is not a Judge with certain fixed powers. He has vested in him a largo amount of discretionary power, and according as he •xercises it, so will he show his fitness or otherwise for the office which he fills. Moroover.it is the acknowledged duty of Magistrates to assist the police by all legitimate means in the preservation of peace and order, and the latter, on the other hand, have certain obligations imposed upon them. The difficulty wo speak of is most noticeable when Justices of the Peace sit to adjudicate on cases brought before the Court. It frequently happens that the policeman knows more than the Magistrate in such cases; and the Bench, being unwilling to be taught in their pride, try an assumption of knowledge by way of compensating for their ignorance, and justice often miscarries as the natural consequence. As often as not, such a result is produced by the gross stupidity of the occupant of the Bench for the time being, but the result is just the same, Itis too often the casothatourmagisterial magnates, being dressed in a little brief authority, play such fantastic tricks as make sensible men gape with wonder. All this is very disheartening to the polieoman, who is very frequently blamed for not “ putting down ” certain abuses which he has already attempted to obliterate or keep in check, but has been rebuffed and snubbed for his pains by some silly magistrate, who only knows a part of his duty, and that very imperfectly indeed. Wo have, it is true, in former articles found reason to complain of negligence on the part of the police anthoriiies in particular directions, and it is with regret that wo notice the blots on the reputation of Christchurch to which we have referred still remain. For this the police of Christchurch, commencing with Mr. Superintendent Broham, cannot bo too strongly condemned. But that does not alter the position of affairs in the slightest. Two wrongs never made one right, and it is a glaring fact, much to bo deplored, that constituted authorities holding offices so vitally important to the weal of a community are in some sort opposed to one another.