The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 9, 10 June 1874, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1874.

The Mayor lias sent in his little bill. The amount, £lB9 3s Gd, may be thought large by some ratepayers, but then of course these discontented persons were not asked to the merry-making on the occasion of the opening of the “ new outfall drain.” In fact, this banquet was given at the Mayor’s private house, and of course the ratepayers should be only too glad to know that their civic chief has had the op*

portunity of entertaining people of high degree at their expense. We are afraid, however, it is not a good precedent, and that as one Councillor aptly remarked, “it would be taxing pos- “ terity with a vengeance if they “ made it pay for the eating and “ drinking of those who attended the “ banquet.” We have no doubt it was a most enjoyable party, and that the head of our civic dignitaries must have felt much as a veteran actor might do, who had condescended to grace some amateur theatricals with his presence. But is this sort of thing to go on ? We in Canterbury have been laughed at in every publication from the Bluff to Cape York in consequence of our Mayor’s “ robes” and the chain, with the links to bo attached, by each worthy succeeding to the chair: and if wo arc to carry out the farce we had better make tbe ninth of November our day of election to this dignity, and have a show, say from the Carlton down to the Bailway Station, with the addition of a £I,OOO vote for expenses. Speaking seriously, it is a little too bad that the ratepayers of Christchurch, prosperous as they may be at the present time, should be charged nearly £2OO for a wretched “ guzzle,” and that they tamely stand it, is in itself sufficient proof of the well-doing of the place; of course each succeeding Mayor will easily be able to find an excuse for giving a banquet, and if the bills are to be passed and charged to the “ general account of the city,” we cannot blame them for courting popularity at such a cheap rate. We have had Mayors, notably one, who thought it honor enough to be the foremost man in the city, without coming down on citizens to pay his little lunch bills, and we hope that any future Mayor will be rich enough to give a banquet, if it is required on any public occasion, without presenting his account afterwards. If he cannot afford it, let the public go without it.