THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1798, 25 November 1879, Page 2

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

To the Editor of the Globe. Srß, —In any city the office of Mayor is one of honour and dignity, marred at times, it is true, by an incompetent or unworthy occupant, but in Christchurch the citizens hare a right to expect that both fitness and worth should be combined in the person of the chief magistrate. To be fitted for the p Ist one should have some practical knowledge of municipal affairs, an aptitude for business, and the ability to conduct a debate. These are essentials —other qualifications may be added with advantage to both himself and his fellow Councillors—but without these it is folly to expect any man, whatever other qualifications he may possess, to bring much credit to the office of Mayor. Coming to the matter of the pending election, it is to be hoped the burgesses will lay aside all mere personal regard or interest, and judge of the fitness of the candidates on their true merits, as suggested above, ns on the choice of a Mayor hangs much that is creditable or otherwise to the city. As it happens, all three candidates are conversant, more or less, with Council business, and two of them have served their term of office in the chair, the present occupant, without doubt, exhibiting the greater aptitude for the post; and with all his faults—and no man is faultless—he has conducted the business of the city not without some credit to himself, while his position ond love of public business have enabled him to bo indefatigable in the performance of his many duties. Between the present occupant, then, and the ox-Mayor candidate—comparing notes as to performances there should be little difficulty in the choice. Kegarding the other candidate, notwithstanding some redeeming qualities ho may possess, it would, in all honesty/ be difficult to say on what just ground ho claims to be entitled to the honor of Mayor. It is true he has been a year in the Council, but for what ho ever did there, so far as reports disclose, he might as well have been at Booramboola Qha. He can talk, and talk fiercely at times, I am informed, but for any display of sound personal judgment it is as foreign to him as, perhaps, the language of Tartary, or the manners and customs of the inhabitants of the moon—if any. Had the

gentleman in question ever shown any special aptitude for business during his term of office as common Councillor—had he ever made any valuable suggestions, or carried any important measure for the good o the community then might ho have hoped to succeed in the present candidature. He may bo able to “ think for himself,” but what has he brought forth ? Thinking is not enough. Had he accomplished any single creditable thing in the interests of the city is it possible his wily advocate of the “ Star” could bars overlooked it ? Ona can fancy with what vivacity the “Star” would have twinkled had the Kates but have furnished its protege with just one consolation —just ono ! Touching the ** bounding ambition” of another candidate, the friend of Aaron should keep a quiet longue or the people might notice where the boundless ambition lies. In any case the citizens are not likely to overlook the comparative merits of the three candidates, and duty will dictate their course of action on the polling day. Yours, As,, CITIZEN.