MUNICIPAL LUMINARIES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2348, 12 October 1881, Page 3

MUNICIPAL LUMINARIES.

To the Editor of the Olobe. Sib,—Men placed by the popular voice in responsible ana honorable positions are at least expected to evince a moderate amount of common sense, a conformity to the dictates of reason, a fair aptitude for dealing with matters within the province of their attention, a respect for honest action, and an adherence to consistency. Such attributes should, at all events, characterise members of the City Council; but what ore wo to think when any of them exhibit such puerility and indecision, such palpable personal leanings as have been painfully reflected in their late actions regarding the question of the dismissal of the staff. Why, they have indollibly blurred, blotched and smeared the name of the Council with pitiable humility, its dignity, shamefacedly wrested from it by these addledbrained croakers, is torn to shreds, and the ratepayers look on disgusted and ashamed, while the outside world laughs contemptuously. What on earth is the good of a body apparently incapable of carrying its own resolutions into effect ? What is the oanse of such apparent impotency ? It is either underhand work and string pulling, or else the councillors must confess themselves as helpless to act as a set of two days’ old puppies ; and one thing is certain, that the longer this question remains unsettled, so the disgrace, indignity, and the humiliation will increase. Councillor Hulbert brought up a resolution that the whole staff of officers should receive notice of dismissal with the view to the reorganisation of such staff on a more satisfactory basis. This resolution was oarriod. Now, sir, I maintain that, being carried, the Mayor was in duty bound (the matter being in his hands for execution)—he was bound, I say, to see that resolution faithfully given effect to like a man, instead of acting in a way more characteristic of some antiquated feminine member of a certain cackling tribe usually appreciated about Christmas time. This brilliant specimen of virility informs the Council that a dilemma has appeared by the Town Clerk declining to bo discharged, and that body, instead of insisting upon the exercise of their powers as employers, dilly • dally with a simple question by taking a dive into the profundity of legal waters, and emerge in a very muddy state. For this and the pitiable entangle they have now got into, they may thank our clever, astute, and sensible Mayor. What foresight he evinced ; what perspicacity he displayed ; what an unusual amount of common sense and moral courage distinguish him! What a pity he is not going in again as Mayorj what a loss his services will be to the citizens of Christchurch. O. B. Taylor cannot shine after the immortal and lustrious Gapes. Surely he will not be allowed to reiire without some public recognition, and which I would respectfully suggest should take the form of a medal, the material to be procured from Messrs Toomer Bros. Next, a special meeting of the Council, in pursuance with a requisition signed by seven Councillors. Here 1 desire to specially point out that Messrs Lambert and Ayers were two of the Councillors who signed this requisition. Tho result of this meeting was an act of unprecedented generosity. It was resolved to humbly supplicate the almighty Town Clerk to bo condescending enough to favor his employers with his views as to the amount of time he would require to enable him to gracefully retire, but ho, looking down from his throne upon his supplicants, bade them begone without the desired information. What an interesting state of affairs. Verily, it would appear in this case tho servant is greater than his lords. And now comes another act. On Monday night Councillor Hulbert again tackled tho subject, when it was decided against him, and now Councillor Cuff has tabled a motion which, if carried, will bo an everlasting disgrace to tho Christchurch City Council, will leave the Town Clerk victorious on the battlefield, the conqueror in a struggle in which he dares to set at defiance Mayor, Council, and ratepayers, and he can calmly trumpet forth the cry, “ I am the ruler of this great city.” Are such things to be ? Ratepayers bestir yourself. Arise 1 Arise! and demand that a plebiscite be taken, and it will soon bo seen that tho vacillating, weak, and childish conduct of those who have been tho cause of the indignity the city has been subjected to, is not endorsed by its intelligent citizens. Back up yonr straightforward, honest, and manly Hulbert, and those who have consistently stood by him through thiok and thin. Councillor Hulbert has been fighting a good fight, a righteous cause, and should bo accorded the strong assistance the ratepayers have it in their

power to give. Those who worked with him are the men who will serve your interests in the Council faithfully, with advantage to their constituents, and with credit to themselves. The Mayor was also ungracious enough to refer to the retiring Councillors. Just one word before concluding : Councillors Ayers and Lambert, who signed the requisition for the special meeting to make arrangements for carrying out the resolution of the Council, viz, that the whole staff should receive notice. These consistent (?) individuals on Monday night entirely ignored their previous action, deserted Councillor Hulb< rt, and voted against his motion. Should I be wronging Councillor Ayers in believing he has been holding private interviews with the virtuous Haskins? Should I be wronging him in tracing his altered views to some such cause ? Should I be wronging him in saying his promises and consistency can be more depended on than his tobacco ? Should I be wronging the champion ot Anglo-Israeliem by saying ho likes to know how others will vote before he puts up his own hand ? Ido not think that Councillor Lambert would have got into the Council again if the ratepayers had known he woold act the part he did on Monday night ? It is time for the ratepayers now to take action. Yours, &o, RATEPAYER