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Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1456, 16 October 1878, Page 2

As the time is now fast approaching when the choice of Mayor for the coming year will have to be made, it behoves the citizens to consider in their minds who is the fittest person to fill the office. The last Wednesday in November is the day appointed for the election, so that it will bo seen very little time remains. It is very desirable that the gentleman selected to .fill the honourable position of Mayor of Christchurch should be one of experience in municipal matters, and qualified from practical knowledge to deal with the many very important subjects which are likely to be discussed during the next mayoral year. Many of these demand special qualifications to bo able to arrive at a sound conclusion upon them, requiring as they do thorough acquaintance with the details and the action which has taken place up to the present time. It will thus bo seen that to elect a man who has not had the advantage of this experience, would bo to seriously affect the interests of the ratepayers. Besides it seems to us only fair that any gentleman who has done the city good service in the past, and who is still doing Bp, who has given up a groat deal of

valuable tima in carrying out the duties of offices quite as important in their way as that b£ Mayor, should receive) some recognition at the hands of the citizens. Three years ago, under the rule of seniority established by the then Council, it had reached Councillor turn to be Mayor. Unfortunately, however, the now Act coming into force ’prevented the fruition of his laudable ambition, and he very gracefully declined to contest the honour in order that Cr. Hobbs might be returned unopposed. Gn the next occasion that a contest took place Or. Ick s came forward against Cr. Gapes, but was. defeated. Last year, consequent on what was termed “ abuse” on the part of the local papers, Cr. Gapes considered it necessary to seek a verdict at the hands of the ratepayers by offering himself for re-election. Or. Ick did not challenge him on that occasion, but allowed Or. Thomson to do so. We trust that;, nothing will interfere to prevent Or. Ick; coming forward as a candidate on the present occasion, Now more than ever there Is great need of an experienced Mayor at the head of affairs. The cityjis increasing largely in population ahd wealth, thereby greatly augmenting the amount of rates at the disposal of the Council, and it is therefore absolutely necessary that the citizens should have the services of a gentleman who in other ways has given some evidence of his administrative ability; ■ For many " yearspast Cr. tick has been a member and chairman of the Works Committee, and the condition of most of the streets of the city bear testimony to the zeal and assiduity with which he has devoted himself to his work. It !is l therefore to be hoped that Cr. Ick wjll be elected Mayor this year, as it would be exceedingly disappointing if so good; a man should be defeated a second tinie. -The citizens, however, we believe, know too well the value of the-experience Or. Ick has gained during a long period of municipal service, and therefore it is that it will be satisfactory to see Crick’s name Amongst those of the candidates for next year. Wo have enumerated one or two of his many claims On,, the consideration of the ratepayers; no doubt they themselves are fully aware of the others. In that case, should he decide upon coming forward, he need have little fear of the result.