The Globe. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1059, 19 November 1877, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1877.

Though the formal closing of the nominations for the office of Mayor does not take place until to-morrow, it is quite understood that the two gentlemen now before the ratepayers will be the only candidates. In former articles upon this subject, we called the attention of the citizens to the importance attaching to the selection of Mayor of the City for the ensuing year. Now upon the eve, as it were, of the election, we venture to repeat that advice. It is most essentially necessary in the interests of the city at large that the question of selection should he looked at apart altogether irons any out*

side and incidental considerations. The partisans of one of the candidates have unwisely endeavored to create a feeling of sympathy with him by making statements as to the maimer in which ho lias been, treated by the City Council during his present year of office. This, we contend, has nothing whatever to do with the election, and should in no way be mixed up with it. The question the ratepayers have to decide—apart entirely from such outside elements as we have referred to—is which of the two candidates is best fitted to occupy the position of Mayor. To import anything else into the election will only be to create bad feeling, and perhaps give rise to personalities, a result which cannot but bo deplored. In making up their minds upon the question thus submitted for their decision, it appears to ns that there are two points which should be borne in mind by the ratepayers. First, that the candidate they select possesses that experience in municipal matters which will enable him to discharge the duties of the office effectively; secondly, that Ins past services to the city have been such as to entitle him to their confidence. Now let ns briefly apply the test to the two candidates before us. But prior to doing so we would desire to disclaim most emphatically any aim beyond seeing the best man elected, and also any intention of entering oven most remotely into personalities. Mr. Thomson has been a member of the Council for many years. He has always taken a keen and intelligent interest in. municipal affairs, and many useful works owe their conception tohim. As a councillor, he has always been painstaking and zealous, ever ready to advocate anything that advanced the interests of the city. His business ability, and his thorough and intimate knowledge of municipal matters, seem to fit him most admirably for the office of Mayor. Mr. Gapes—the second candidate—has all but completed a year of office. When the chronicles of the city come to be written the page occupied by the record of the reign of Gapes will not present any striking memorial of genius. It is true that Mr. Gapes has been a member of the City Council for some time. In that respect, no doubt, he fulfils one of the tests we have referred, to. But when we turn to the record of his year of office for any good and sufficient reason why he should lie re-elected, we arc unable to discover it. The experience of a year of office does not seem to us to warrant the placing of Mr. Gapes once more in the position of Mayor. Had there been no suitable candidate presenting himself then we could have understood Mr, Gapes once more coming forward to fill the gap. But such is not the case. A gentleman in every way fitted for the office lias come forward — one who if elected, will fill the office with credit to himself and the city. Hence there was no reason at all for Mr. Gapes to again offer himself. The topmost hope of his ambition has been reached —he has been Mayor of Christchurch. If he is wise he will rest contented with the; honor he has achieved. We hope therefore that the friends of Mr. Gapes will see their way clear to withdraw his candidature. It would be a graceful act, and one which would conduce in no small degree to the interests of the city at large.