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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2456, 1 February 1881, Page 2

What is to be done with Russell Square ? The question cropped up at the meeting of our civic fathers last evening. His Worship was in a state of perplexity, for it was desirable that the ground should be fenced and beautified or othersvise utilised. He had received various offers from the manly sports committees, but he had declined all blandishments for fear of infringing the rights of the citizens. The Mayor we think, has acted with sound discretion. The Square is a public reserve, and it cannot be conveyed to any section of the public for any specific purpose beyond that of the general recreation. There is, however, no particular reason why a portion of it should not be set apart for football purposes or as a cricket reserve, provided, in the latter case, the area is sufficient to protect surrounding properties or persons using the streets in the neighborhood from risk of injury. This, we imagine, is the great obstacle to the Square being used as a cricket ground. But under y no circumstances would the local authorities be justified in its appropriation—even temporarily—by any club or clubs. Football, cricket, or any other games may be permitted, and the players should be encouraged in improving the ground to their own desires, but any vested interest in it, or in the improvements made, is a thing that, we submit, the Borough Council cannot legitimately grant.

The Intercolonial Conference at Sydney has not been without its useful results. It lias brought the representatives of the Australian Colonies together, and it has enabled them to freely discuss the various subjects respecting which uniform legislation seems desirable. Besides assisting to establish a thoroughly friendly relationship between the different governments, it has led to an interchange of ideas that can fail in the long run to prove

profitable. The champions of Free Trade and Protection have crossed swords,and the duellists have,doubtless, been astonished at finding how nearly, after all, their views coincide and, their tariffs assimilate. Although several important questions have been hung up, the seed of unity has been sown and it is destined to grow. With regard to dealing with absconding debtors and heads of families there has been the utmost harmony, and the days of heartless desertions are probably numbered. The Oriental nuisance has received due attention, and a remonstrance to the Secretary of State for the Colonies against the action of Western Australia in following up convict labor by Chinese immigration has been drawn np. Victoria and New South Wales have resolved upon checkmating the Chinese invasion by stringent measures, 'while the other colonies, following the example of Queensland, have determined on a milder course. We have no doubt, however, that when public opinion begins to make itself properly felt in New Zealand, our ports will bo as carefully guarded .against Chinese trespassers as those of New South Wales and Victoria. Everyone acquainted with the valuable properties of light Australian wines will regret the failure of Mr Mann’s resolution in favor of intercolonial free trade in that particular beverage. New Zealand has a celebrity for making good beer, and we could advantageously afford to exchange it for the delicious wines of the sister colony. And in referring to this it may astonish certain temperance circles to learn that light wines are,like good coffee, slightly exhilarating, but conducive to sobriety rather than intemperance. The time we trust is approaching when intercolonial free trade, with the protection of manufacturers from without, will be established. Before this sort of unanimity can be brought about, however, it will be necessary for public opinion to exercise a more thorough and immediate control over its representatives than it docs at present. The Conference on the whole has borne good fruit ; it has laid a foundation for future progress ; and it will undoubtedly facilitate the realisation eventually of that grand dream of colonial patriots at home and abroadcolonial confederation.