THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1882. "LET THE GALLED GADE WINCE."

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2694, 25 November 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1882. "LET THE GALLED GADE WINCE."

Or. A tees took occasion at the recent gathering held to present his Worship the Mayor with & memorial of the Exhibition, to speak in somewhat bitter tones of the treatment the Council, and more parhimself, had received from some of the newspapers in Christchurch. It may be remarked, in passing, that the introduction of a topic such as this on the occasion referred to was not in the best of taste. However that may be, we do not intend to quarrel with Cr. Ayers on this point. But when he went on to claim for the Council and for himself the faculty of doing right on every possible occasion, we venture with all humility to differ with him. It does not follow for an instant that because a - newspaper advocates a particular line of action that must be the only one taken. But we do claim for the section of the Press of Obristchnrch, to which Cr. Ayers specially alluded in somewhat undeservedly strong terms that in every instance where comments have been made, subsequent events have proved the truth of their statements. There have been no such hard words as would justify what was no doubt intended to be a most severe castigation, but which failed lamentably. In the interest of the ratepayers we have had on several occasions to comment on the measures proposed and action taken by the Council. This has been done fearlessly and without the shadow of a bias or partiality, Cr. Ayers has come in for his share on some occasions, but not moro than his fellow councillors, and we are quite at a loss to understand what could have provoked the angry torrent of words which rolled on to the devoted heads of the journalists. "We have endeavored by gemtle persuasion to lead the erring feet of Cr. Ayers into the straight path on several occasions when he has advocated something which, though perhaps good for a particular little section or ward of the city, seemed to us not to be for the general welfare. This task has been performed with tha utmost delicacy, knowing what a tender plant Cr. Ayers is, and that the biting breath of rude criticism might wither up the blossom of his budding hopes. Like Izaak "Walton and the worm, we have handled Cr. Ayers "an he were a loved one," and yet now we find him charging the papers with having abused him most unmercifully. This is too hard, and shows an amount of ingratitude on the part of Cr. Ayers for which we were quite unprepared. He was regarded by us as the special lamb of the municipal fold, who, when straying away, was to be reclaimed gently and with kindness. It is with deep rogret that we find all this kindness has boon thrown away; that Cr. Ayers has turned upon the hand which caressed him, aud now rails in good set. terms against those wha have always been his best friends. Snch a state of thiuga is sad, ex'.remoly sad, aud one hardly knows what to do under these distressing circumsfances. Cr. Ayers will see, ou reflection, we hope, how ungrateful ho been to those who have endeavored to do their best for him. Ho cannot have meant all those stingingly severe rpuiatks iu earnest, and now ihat the temporary irritation produced from some cause or other has passed away he will be the first to ask our pardon and return once more to us. The veal season is now on, and should the prodigal who has wandered afar off into strango countries return once more, the fatted calf shall bo forthcoming, and all shall be forgotten and forgiven. Such a reconciliation will make amends for all, and wo can evon be maguauimous enough to forgot all the hard things Crs. Ayers has said in this matter, and once more reinstate him in the position he has occupied so long.

THE MISCELLANEOUS BY-LAW,

Thkbe is now before the City Council a by-law so extensive in its operation, and so wide in ita application aa regards the fining of effandora against ita provisions, that we think it necessary the ratepayers generally should be made aware of it. The by-law has now progressed a considerable way towards completion, and as it deals with snch a variety of matters, and affects in so many ways the citizens, it is only right that an opportunity should be afforded to them of making themselves familiar with its provisions. We are not aware whethether there is any moans by which this could bo effected otherotherwise than advertising. If the expense of so doing can be saved, and at the same timo sufficient publicity given to the by-law to ensure it being thoroughly understood by the people, so much the batter. It is far more probable, if the public have a chance of studying the bylaw and expressing their opinion thereon that they will be prepared loyally to support it and carry it out, than it they are suddenly confronted with penal clauses of all kinds, the existence of which they were previously unaware. We hope the Council will take some steps to mako the by-law public, as from the multiplicity of its provisions, and the fact that it imposes fines in a very large nnmber of instances, it is very doeirablo that tho public should hare the opportunity of expressing their opinions on it.