The Star. MONDAY, JULY 22, 1878.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3210, 22 July 1878, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, JULY 22, 1878.

John Boniface haß been having his annual spree, and who is the caitiff so base aa to deny it to him P Our butchers, bakers, painters, glaziers, jolly cabmen, and serious undertakers, all claim their yearly holiday, and a genuine pleasure it ia to observe their joyous spirits as they parade through the city to the scene or their enjoyment. There can be no reason given, therefore, why the Licensed Victuallers should not also have their festival, and enjoy themselves in a manner alike consistent with their business and old English good cheer. We take up our broadsheet then to read of their genial sociality with the most kindly feelings. As we read» however, something strikea us as singular. "We throw the paper away, and dismiss the subject. The unpleasant sensation remains, and will not depart. There is something peculiar about this festive gathering, what can it be ? Again we take the paper up, and set ourselves to seek for it. We find it. All the three members representing this city in Parliament have thought it their duty to be present upon this occasion. Well, what of that P Have they not as good right to be there as any other citizen P They were invited; each accepted; there they are, and why not P Thexe is no answer to this, except to twiddle one's thumbs in the way usual with people who have been cornered. It is all true. Nevertheless, as courage returns, we cannot help asserting our feeling that if upon the occasion of this banquet, two of pur members, or even one, had been suddenly taken,, in the usual way, with slight indisposition; or had cut his finger j or had a prior engagement, his absence would have been much better. Had, even, those stupid people the reporters, arranged their account of the proceedings so that the name of one honourable member appeared at the beginning, a second in the middle,, and the third near the close, the fact of all the members having been present would not have been so noticeable, but to put them prominently all in a row excites unpleasant surprise, forcing attention to the question how was it that such unanimity should exist that to be present upon this festive evening was a duty by no me»n» t© be neglected by members of the City of Ohristchurch P Insensibly the mind recalls the fact that at elections which we have seen in thiß city the Licensed Victuallers have displayed a rare public spirit. There did not appear upon such occasions to be a publican who did not consider himself better able than any one else " to drive a jaunting car," and seem anxious to afford a proof of his skill. Whilst the interests of the public bar were by no means neglected yet nearly every jolly Boniface could find time upon such a day to show what a cheerful, jolly driver of a vehiole, one horse, pair, or tandem he could be and that he was willing to drive any elector (who had not voted) in the direction of the Council Chamber for the sole purpose of exciting admiration of his skill. We repeat that upon snoh occasions their public spirit and divotion to tho convenience of the oit'ißens is very admirable and, whilst th > law allows it, might be followed with advantage by other sections of the community. In it too much to suppose that the three members for the city, as well as others, have observed all thij patriotism P Are they blind that they should not Bee this thing, or so dull that they should be insensible to its effecte ? Indeed, our members are very intelligent gentlemen, and may be left to know what is beat for the interests of the general public, their friends, and themselves, insuoh cases. We repeat, and what we say is plain, that absolutely nothing can be said in suoh a case, but we do wish that slight indispositions had recently been more prevalent, engagements more numerous, or our members not ao generally afflioted with a hunger for good cheer at the hospitable board of a very powerful class in this community. At all events, we shall certainly feel it our duty to talk seriously to the reporters for the Star, in reference to the performance of their duty upon the occasion of any future happy assemblage. When dealing the other day with the question of Working Men's Clubs and Temperance Hotels, we mentioned incidentally the fact that in Williamstown and Sandridge, in the Port of Melbourne, Sailors' Bests and Coffee Shops had been established, and were working with great success. Our energetic friends in Lyttelton have been quick to take the hint. On Friday evening a meeting was held at the Port, the Mayor in the chair, and a Committee was appointed "to enquire into the cost of establishing and maintaining a place of entertainment on temperance principles, either in the form of a Working Man's Club, Sailor's Home, or Tea, Coffee, and Dining-rooms." We have to compliment the people at tie porfc upon their activity. We should not be at all surprised to see their institution in full Bwing, and doing noble work, whilst the Ohristchurch Committee are slowly pondering over the business in a very ponderous manner. Whatever shape the Committee at Lyttelton may think it most advantageous for their institution to assume, we trust, that in the design, it will be sought to make it in every way attractive to " Poor Jack." For many years back the efforts of our best and most benevolent minds have endeavoured to

alleviate the lot of the sailor,. and most beneficent work in that direction has already been accomplished ... Not only have comparatively decent, and comfortable quarters been found for the Bailor on board his vessel ; nob only has he been protected from harraasing treatment and " coffin ships ;** but in every port of any pretension provision has been made for his comfort and social recreation. After being " cribb'd, cabined, and confined " fojMnonths, shut out from the refining and elevating influence of the opposite sex, " Jack," when he came ashore, was easily tempted to- knock down his hardly-won earninga^at th© rum shop in debauchery. Now, a great change has been made;; voyages are seldom three months in duration ; from shore to shore the time occupied is short, and in nearly, every British port to which he goes " Jack " finds accommodation suited to his» tastes, habits, means, and of an essentially improving nature. The time had/ long come for the establishment of Sailors' Bests in the Port of Melbourne, although a Sailors' Home had been an institution ia that city for many years. We repeat our hope that in view, of these circumstances in laying out the scope of their institution, our friends, in Lyttelton will have a careful eye to- what is due to the character of the port and to the interests of the sailor,. We do not doubt they will be successful in carrying out a really praiseworthy, -work.