The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 338, 13 July 1875, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1875.

We are not disposed to quarrel with our Municipal Council, or to find any material fault with their recent work. Undoubtedly there is some evidence of activity in pushing on works which are beneficial to the ratepayers. They have secured the services of an able and intelligent engineer, who has shown that he is master of his position, and has a perfectly accurate notion of economy consistent with permanency. And as much may be said of their Town Clerk, who has always displayed aptitude in his work. But it is not of the officers we have to speak, it is of the Council itself. The Mayors of our municipalities are very properly deemed to be the chief officers of their respective districts, but while this is so, it is much to be regretted that so little anxiety is felt by the general body of ratepayers to secure the return of men of higher position—socially and intellectually as representatives upon our municipal hoards. Christchurch, for example is every year increasing in wealth and importance; it is, therefore, a matter for grave consideration whether some change cannot now be made in the mode of electing this chief officer of the city, so as to secure the services of one who shall really represent the material wealth, and high commercial character it is fast assuming.

The Chief Magistrates of our English cities are mostly notable for their social standing ; if therefore we expect to see respect paid to these officers in Canterbury such as exists in the old country, we must strive to imitate their example. It may be said, and perhaps truly, that if men of the classes indicated desire to attain civic honors, they can easily do so by presenting themselves before the ratepayers for election—first as Council men, and then in the progress of time they will succeed to the chair. So indeed they may after a service of some seven or eight years; but this is too long a time of servitude in colonial life, and therefore we may urge that the ratepayers should ha\e the power of electing the Mayor of any corporation irrespective altogether of the Council. There would be no injustice, no hardship in this ; for if a Councillor had distinguished himself by his zeal and ability in the public service, he beyond doubt would stand a far greater chance of success with his fellow citizens than anew and untried man. Indeed, no new and untried man, unless he possessed remarkable intelligence, and in other respects ability, would stand much chance of selection.

To say, however, that no man is useful as a Mayor who has not obtained a practical knowledge of the Municipal Act by previous service in the corporation, is indeed an absurdity. How many of our representatives in the higher bodies of the Legislature, have ever studied the Acts of the Council of which they aspire to become members ? Are members of the General Assembly or the Provincial Council well read in the'Acts and proceedings of these bodies? Is it not rather after election that they seek to inform themselves upon these matters. If some notably eminent man should be chosen for Mayor of say this City of Christchurch, it would be easy to secure others of his own position to work as his colleagues—not that there should be a preponderance of any one class above another —but the presence of such men would at once give a tone of character to the proceedings of the Council which would be attended with marked benefit. Their discussions would be freed from personalities, and the Council room might be made a fitting stepping stone to legislative bodies of a higher grade. Until this is done it will he idle to talk of endowments. When the Council can boast of men of large views—of views ranging above the mere watering and kerbing of our streets, we may expect schemes to emanate from them which will command public sympathy and will compel outside support. As the General Assembly is on the eve of meeting, it is a proper time to raise this question, and particularly so since we are informed that material alterations in the law are contemplated. Larger powers may be conferred upon Corporations, and therefore it is necessary we should be extremely careful as to whom we entrust them.