THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL MUDDLE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2323, 14 September 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL MUDDLE.

We are totally at a loss to imagine how any body of men possessing the least rag of self-respect or dignity, could have passed such a resolution as the members of the City Council did on Monday last. Not alone is this so, but vre conceive a slight has been cast upon the legal gentleman who was asked to advit*?. As we anticipated, and stated in our former article, tho legal opinion was most emphatic as to the operation of clause 102. That clause is exceedingly wide in.

its operation, and enables, as we read it, the Council to dispense with the services af any of its officers at any time. The Council, by a large majority, have deter, mined that a reconstruction Bhall take place, and until that resolution is rescinded the newly constituted Council are bound in honor and in the interests of the ratepayers to loyally carry it out. If Councillor Thomson and the other ardent admirers of the transcendant genius enshrined in the person of the Town Clerk have the courage to express their opinions, why do they not raise a plain and straightforward issue, so that we may know who is fighting under the banner of oppressed ■merit ? Let them move the rescinding of the resolution for reconstruction. This would be boldly displaying their colors, instead of, as it were, hiding under cover and in the humble imitation of tho great Liberal chief, stonewalling, whilst there is no chance of their being discovered. If, as the organ whose damning with faint praise Mr. Haskins mnst feel mo3t keenly, says, injustice has been done, then the course we propose is the one most likely to put things right. But we do protest, in tho name of the city, against tho decision arrived at on Monday. It is to our mind a most hnmiliating spectacle that the Mayor and Councillors should of their own free will go " with 'bated breath, and in a bondman's key," to one of their officials, and ask him if ho would deign to say what term of notice he would be pleased to accept. We are aware that during two years of a certain Mayoralty the gentleman elected by the citizens was only a kind of lay figure, worked by the clever manipulations of tho Town Clerk. But we must confess to surprise at finding the members of the Council placing themselves in the position of being dictated to by one of their servants. "We do not blame Cr. Louisson so much, because his experience of public life in Christchurch, at all events, has been exceedingly limited, still we question very much whether, in the management of the commercial venture of which ho is the head, he would wait upon his brewer or his carter to know what length of notice he would like to have. There is no ambiguity about Mr. Harper's opinion. Three months' notice, ho says, would be perfectly legal, given at any time, or if the Council deem fit, a shorter term. The principle is affirmed, and the Council had no alternative, after appealing to Mr. Harper, but to proceed to carry out the express resolution as arrived at by a majority of the representativses of the citizens. The Council was not satisfied with the opinion of the city solicitor, and resolved to take other advice. That advice has been given ■in terms about which there can be no mistake, and, we ask, why is it that the Council hesitate ? Wero a poll of the citizens to be taken to-morrow, we do not hesitate to say that an overwhelming majority would bo found in favour of a reconstruction and remodelling of the municipal staff. Tet forsooth, the representatives of the citizens take it upon themselves not only to act directly contrary to a legal opinion on the subject specially obtained, but to submit the city as a whole to the indignity of going to an official of the Council to decide that which they should do themselves. As we have said, there is some excuse for Councillor Louisson. He is, comparatively speaking, but an infant in municipal affairs. But that a veteran like Councillor Ayers, who is also a candidate for the Mayoralty, should take such a course is inexplicable. Supposing that Mr. Haskins requires six months' notice, will the Council be prepared to defer what is a matter of pressing emergency till then ? We fancy not. If so, where then is the use of delay ? The Council could and should have at once, acting upon counsel's opinion, given three months' notice, which under all the circumstances would have been ample. With reference to the city solicitors, thero appears to be a little soreness on their •part as to a hint of delay. Probably the explanation given by them will be •considered satisfactory, but the query mentioned in our la3t article on this subject yet remains unanswered. We refer to the rumor which has gained credence that the city solicitors are the private advisers of the Town Clerk. This is a thing which should at once be denied if it does not exist. As we before observed, there is nothing in it if it were so (which for our own part we cannot believe), but still there are a number of people who are so obtuso to the finer sentiments of humanity as to bo unable to seo how a really clever man can adviso two clients having diverse interests on the same matter, with equal advantage to both. We trust that the outcome of this matter will be that the Council will make up -their minds without further delay to act npon the opinion of Mr. Harper, and give the requisite notices at once,