The Star. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1896.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5730, 25 November 1896, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1896.

At yesterday's meeting of the Drainage Board, a deputation representing the City Council formally lodged a complaint respecting the disgraceful and highly dangerous condition of the River Avon. This is a procedure that obviously ought to have been adopted long ago, and that probably would not have come about even now, but for the strong journalistic pressure that has been brought to bear upon the subject. However, the beginning of an official agitation has at last been made, and the way has to some extent been cleared. The Drainage Board declines to hand over its control of the river. So be it. The City Council is the conservator of the public health, and its duty is imperative. Having tried the suaviter in modo, it must now adopt the fortiter in re. It must compel the Drainage Board, if necessary, to carry out its duty. The mud . banks of the river are a constant menace, a prolific source of disease, and at any cost they must be got rid of . Cowardly attempts have been made to damage the reputation of Mr W. Cullen, the Labour candidate for Parliament, by asertions to the effect that while fully employed as a compositor he was taking the bread out of other people's mouths by engaging in music teaching. Mr Cullen has written a straightforward answer to our morning contemporary, and in the spirit of fair play we reproduce his reply. Mr Cullen says : — " At the time I took up my old profession of music-teaching I could not get any work at my own trade. Later on I got occasional work. Surely it was more manly and right to use my abilities than to claim help from my fellow - unionists. By patience and diligence I at laat got constant employment. I at once arranged for the discontinuance of teaching, and for over two years have never advertised myself. My opponents do that for me now. There are still two or three who stick to me who are so satisfied with my system of teaching that they prefer me. This is not done in my spare time ; for our system at the trade is that of piecework, and while I attend to my few remaining clients other men do my work. I never put in a full week. So you see the impression the writer conveys by his letter is entirely erroneous. If returned to Parliament I have no intention of doing anything at my trade, but to devote myself to the constituency. How many of our present members do that ?" And there is further testimony that we are glad to reproduce. Mr E. Wright, the president of the Typographical Society, says this : — " Mr Cullen has been a staunch Unionist for several years ; he has filled every office in the Society ; he has had the utmost confidence placed in him, and his actions have never been in any way questioned by the Union." The truth is, that Mr Cullen's candidature is proving to be more formidable than his opponents had anticipated. Those who hear him speak, or make his acquaintance in any other way, realise at once the ability and sincerity of the man, and involuntarily recognise the fact that he would, as a parliamentary representative, be an honour to the constituency. An esteemed correspondent, who has exceptional facilities for obtaining accurate information on the subject to which he refers, points out that the evidences of prosperity just now are veiy striking. The number of buildings that are being erected proves that there is a brisk state of affairs in the building trade: and such a demand for timber has not been known in Christchurch for many years. Traction engines drawing timber waggons is no uncommon sight, and the trades in question are enjoying rosy times. Cottages, and more pretentious structures, are being built in all directions, and employers find a difficulty in securing really competent carpenters. " Altogether," remarks our correspondent, "the aspect of affairs is assuring, and effectively disposes of the cry of the Conservatives that the country is going to ruin. The Government of the day does not appear to have scared small capitalists, and, as a matter of fact, the utmost confidence is abundantly manifested." Cust Literary Institute. — The annual meeting of subscribers to this institution took place on Monday evening. The chair was occupied by the Rev D. D. Rodger, and there was a moderate attendance. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have been .£l6 17s 3d, and the expenditure .£l6 16s lid. The receipts on the library account were £8 15s Bd, and the disbursements £6 15s 6d. The election of officers resulted as follows : — President, Mr E. W. Cooper; secretary, Mr A. D. Hassall; treasurer, Mr G. Way]and; librarians, Messrs F. Early and C. Forbes ; committee, Rev D. D. Rodger, Messrs G. Ruddenklau, R. Gardner, J. Forbes and T. H. O'Farrel. On the motion of Mr Hassall, a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Early, Forbes, Wayland and Gardner was appointed to consider the question of repairs to the hill, and to report at next meeting.