The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 350, 27 July 1875, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1875.

The ratepayers of Christchurch are for the future to have the right of electing the Mayor from amongst the members of the City Council. So at least the Councillors determined last night at their usual weekly meeting. It is one step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough, and we trust that at no distant date the ratepayers of Christchurch may be able to elect to the post of Mayor any citizen who they may choose, independently of the fact of his being a member of the City Council. Other things being equal, a councillor would naturally have the advantage over an outside candidate, but there might easily be found a

gentleman whose qualifications for filling the office of Mayor would be immensely superior to those possessed by almost any member of the Council, and in this case our sympathies would be with such a candidate. But of course if the members of the Council only are to be consulted in this matter it stands to reason that they will insist on the choice of a gentleman for Mayor being confined to the body to which they belong. The Hon E. Richardson in his telegram asks for the wish of the Council with regard to the manner of election of the Mayor, but we think it would only be right and proper that the ratepayers should have a voice in the matter. When the Municipal Corporations Act comes on for its second reading, it will be the proper time for the members representing Canterbury constituencies to give their views on the matter, and an expression of opinion of the ratepayers of the City might be forwarded to each of these members. If, however, the ratepayers are apathetic or indifferent on the point, we shall have the privilege of selecting the Mayor from a limited number of candidates, but we shall not be able to go outside that small circle even if a candidate was found about whose eligibleness there could be no question. It must be remembered that the expression of opinion of the members of the City Council cannot be said to be the opinions of the ratepayers, and these latter being a very numerous body have a right to be consulted on a matter of such importance. If they endorse the motion proposed last night by Cr Ick, and seconded by Cr Hart, then they cannot find any fault with the action of the Hon E. Richardson in the matter. If, however, they wish to have the privilege of electing their Mayor without reference to the Council, they must take steps to let their wishes be known to the hon gentleman who has charge of the Bill in Wellington.