The Globe. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1032, 16 October 1877, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1877.

So far as can been seen at present, the contest for the mayoralty is likely to be confined to the two gentlemen now before the public. "Without wishing in any way to introduce personalities into the consideration of this matter, we cannot but reiterate our opinion that the candidature of the present Mayor is a mistake. Had there been a dearth of eligible candidates, there might perhaps have been reason for the present Mayor once more wooing the sweet voices of the ratepayers. But it is not so, and therefore we are quite unable to understand why he should have been requested to come forward once more. It is no use blinking the fact that the mayoral reign of the past year has been by no means a success, and that in the interests of the ratepayers generally it will be better to have a change. As we have before said, we disclaim any intention of bringing forward personalities, but we cannot help saying that it appears very much as if the Mayor's candidature has been raised on false premisses. It mainly arose from a notion fostered by some circumstances in connection witli the Municipal Conference that there was a sort of clique or party persecution against him. Whether this be so or not does not matter now; but we would desire to point out that other considerations besides this should enter into the decision of the ratepayers as to the best man to occupy the chief position in the city. A cry has been raised over this matter which has the baneful effect of setting class against class. Nothing can be more strongly deprecated than this, whether in municipal

or general politics. We trust therefore that the ratepayers will not allow (his, like a red herring drawn acros*the scent, to divert their minds from the main question at issue. Let them recollect this, that the city is daily growing in wealth and importance, and that we require to have as our chief municipal officer one who is fully capable of filling the office with dignity and credit to the city. They have now before them two candidates, and we hope that they will dispassionately and without being influenced by the cry of unfair treatment of the present Mayor, select the best man. As we have said, this cry is a false issue, totally disconnected with the present contest, and one which should in no way be brought forward in it. Let the two candidates stand on their merits, and the only test applied be, which will best serve the interests of the ratepayers and of the city generally.

The Diocesan Synod opened its session to-day, and will afford an opportunity for information to be given on a somewhat important subject. Several letters have appeared in the local papers, commenting with more or less severity upon the coiirse adopted in connection with the sentence passed upon the Eev. H. E. Carlyon. As now put before the public it certainly appears that the ideas of justice entertained by the Church of the Province of New Zealand are somewhat peculiar. According to English law, an accused person who has been found guilty prior to sentence being passed, has every opportunity of bringing anything he may desire in mitigation of sentence. If what is stated by correspondents in the morning papers be correct, however, this does not appear to be Church law. It is said that after going through the form of asking Mr. Carlyon to make any statement he pleased, the Primate read a written sentence, evidently prepared beforehand; and this it will be noticed, despite anything that might be urged for the defence. Such a eourse of action seems so un-English-like and unfair that it is to be hoped some steps will be taken to discover the real facts of the case. We trust to see some member of Synod put a question on the noticepaper so as to elicit the truth of the matter. At present it certainly wears a very peculiar aspect, but doubtless the answer of the Primate to the question we have suggested will put a totally different complexion on it. As the statements referred to have been so publicly made, it is only right that the explanation —which no doubt the Primate will be readily enabled to give —should have equal publicity.