THE MAYORALTY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 778, 18 December 1876, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sir, —It would appear that the City Oouncil have nominated a Mayor; in reference to which nomination, the sixteen ratepayers whose names are before the public, and the " 9fi others " whose names arc not, took oc ?asioi; to write Mr Gapes h letter, which letter Mr Gupes or what is the same thing ("qui faclt per alium facit per se ") his supporters saw fit to publish. In it they remark, "We are pained and surprised that the Council should try to usurp the privileges of the ratepayers." Can it be possible that these 113 intelligent ratepayers, including Mr Gapes (the Mayor in posse), are not aware that the members of the Council are ratepayers, that their names appear on the burgess roll, and as such are entitled to all the privileges of ordinary ratepayers; so that it is difficult to understand how they can usurp the privileges of the class to which they must necessarily belong, and which I have yet to learn they lose upon becoming representatives of the ratepayers as city councillors, Now the question arises, can it be ignorance ? or is it merely a trap to deceive the unwary ratepayer, to lead him to the idea that his rights and privileges are being interfered with, and so influence his vote? I think the ratepayers of Christchurch, as a rule, are too wide awake to be taken in by so unworthy a dodge. If it really is ignorance, then it becomes a very serious question as to whether any one apparently so unacquainted with the lights and privileges of the citizeca, and possibly as uninformed on other important municipal subjects, can conscientiously be considered a fit ?nd proper representative to be placed at the head of the municipality. ,To those rate payers ha y . ing the welfaie of the city at heart, and who are above being influenced by or made subservient to petty party jealousies, this question is worthy of coneiderable atteitiou. Yours, &c,