ELECTION OF MAYOR.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 87, 10 September 1874, Page 3

ELECTION OF MAYOR.

To the Editor of the Globe.

SIR,— Now that the excitment is on about municipal elections, I think it is a good time to try and test the feelings of the ratepayers about the future election of Mayors. My own opinion, and that of numerous others, is that the Mayor should be elected by the ratepayers, and not by the City Council. If this was the case, all difficulty would be overcome and petty jealousies cease, as in the event of the ratepayers having the privilege in their own hands, there would be no scarcity of good men coming forward for the post of honor—men of good social position and integrity—two qualifications indispensable to the person holding such a high position as chief magistrate of the city. I throw out these suggestious in the hope that some one more able than myself will take the matter up, and call a meeting for the purpose of ventilating the question more fully. As to whether it should be a paid or honorary office, I leave for future consideration. An expression of opinion, with a petition from the ratepayers to the General Government or Assembly, I believe would have the desired effect, as I feel certain no opposition would be offered against the carrying of the proposition into effect. I feel certain a great good would be achieved, and Christchurch would then have no fear of the result of any meeting presided over by one who had been returned by the votes of the ratepayers themselves. Yours truly, VOX POPULI, Christchurch, September 10th, 1874.