THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1882. THE HONORED OF SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2644, 27 September 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1882. THE HONORED OF SYDENHAM.

Wb have often heard of men who, quite unconsciously to themselves, have awakened with the fame of their exploits ringing in their ears. No doubt their surprise on the occasion would be only equalled by their pleasure. Some such feeling as this must possess Mr Wm, White, junior, on his return from Parliament. Some enthusiastic constituents of his purpose this evening giving a banquet in his honor, where, no doubt under the able guidance of the eloquent Mayor of that Borough, streams of oratory will flow in praise of ouah membah.” We are rather curious to know upon what materials the laudation of Mr. Wm. White, junior, as a statesman will proceed. So far as the records of last Parliament extend, his services have not been of that brilliant order which the ovation now about to bo tendered to him would lead us to expect. It is true that, like Sir Joseph Porter, Mr. W. White, junr., " Always voted at his party’s call, And seldom thought of thinking f ir himself at all. " But beyond this, which may be very commendable from a party point of view, we fail to see any reason why this honor should be done him, and no doubt Mr. Wm. White, jnn., is also equally astonished with ourselves at the gushing reception he has received. We believe Mr. White did move that the Drainage Amendment Bill—a most objectionable measure—should be read that day six months, but that was something like kicking a dead lion. The Bill itself was moribund long before Mr. White moved in the matter.

as the tolco of the people, through petitions, had been very strongly heard against it. It is also matter of history that during last session Mr. White followed that great statesman, Mr. W. Montgomery, most persistently and loyally. Wherever the vote of the great leader of the Opposition was recorded there also would be found Mr. White’s name on the division list. But we have yet to learn that Mr. White is the honored gneat of Sydenham to-night because he followed Mr. Montgomery. The thorough-going Conservatism, thinly veneered over fay a sort of half and half Liberalism of Mr. Montgomery, conld scarcely be to the taste of the ont and ont Liberals of Sydenham. So that we are left in wonder at the reason of thifijoy and festivity this welcoming j hack of the proud conqueror in the intellectual arena, if not with garlands, at least with baked meats and teetotal beverages. In his public capacity as a member of other bodies Mr. White is a very estimable gentleman. It would conduce greatly, it is true, to the despatch of public business were he to be as reticent of speech there as he has been during the Parliamentary session. But with all—and we feel sure the recipient himself will agree with us—there is no reason whatever for the gathering of tonight. It is initiating a bad precedent. We shall have honorable members crowding the notice paper with questions as to the little petty local matters of the district, in order to prove the zeal with which they are looking after the interests of their constituents. Besides, we shouldhave thought our Liberal friends had had enough of feasts. The memorable occasion when they sent forth another of their champions—he of Stanmore —to do - battle with the Government, has not yet been forgotten. However, we hope the - practice, except on very rare occasions, of congregating a lot of people together to ■ sing fulsome praises of some one and each other, as on the present occasion, . will not obtain in Canterbury in connection with our political history.

THE RE CONSTRUCTED CITY COUNCIL. Hib Worship thb Matoe, in view of his assent to continue another year in office, may, we think, fairly be congratulated on the Council he will have to work with. Taken as a whole, though, of course the city will miss the services of those Councillors who have retired. There are the materials for a very good working Council. When the youthful ardour of the new members has been somewhat cooled by a vigorous course of committee work they will settle down to the work before them, and no doubt despatch it in a businesslike way. There is no desire on the part of the citizens, wa feel sure, to see the Council Chamber made a debating class. What is wanted ia to deal with the questions arising in a common sense manner, as men of business would with anything similar coming up in the course of their own work. If the new members will bear this in mind, there is plenty o£ tact and ability in the Council as at present constituted to conduct the affairs of the city in a manner deserving commendation. To this end the senior members of the Council can in a great degree contribute by their example, and we are glad to find that an old Councillor has been re-elected in the person of Mr. Jenkins. That gentleman during his former career as a Councillor rendered very great service indeed on the various committees, and his return to the Councilis a step in the right direction. The Council is now entering on what may be termed a new career, inasmuch as a very considerable portion of it is composed of men who have not previvionsly had experience in municipal affairs, and therefore it cannot foe out of place to give a word or two of kindly advice. Criticism they must necessarily expect, and if it is honest and fair nothing will more conduce to t eir success. We trust that the incoming year will be a pleasant one in municipal matters, and that at its close his Worship will feel no regret at having yielded to the unanimous voice of the citizens by remaining iu office a second year.