THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1880. THE MAYORALTY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2092, 6 November 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1880. THE MAYORALTY.

One of the candidates for the Mayoralty of Christchurch Mr Gapes has addressed the burgesses of the city, and has laid before them, presumedly, the policy he intends to pursue, if elected, with regard to municipal matters. Mr. Gapes claimed for himself the credit of having endeavored to carry out the remainder of the channelling, which was a most necessary work both in a sanitary point of view, and also in respect to the comfort of the residents. The mixing up of this very excellent and much-required work with the expensive Waimakariri scheme had the effect, as we pointed out at the tho time, fof throwing it out. In his advocacy of a work manifestly so much for the benefit of the people Mr. Gapes has certainly made out a good claim to their sympathy and support. The other part of his address dealt principally with subjects which have been under consideration here during the past few months in the Council. Mr. Gapes, as will be seen, claims to have done good service in many of these, and there can be no doubt but that, according to his lights, Mr. Gapes has discharged the duties of Councillor with a fair amount of efficiency. On the tramway question Mr Gapes struck the key note of the whole matter. Ho was prepared to facilitate the operations of the company in every way consistent with the conservation of tho public interests. Precisely. That is what we have all along been contending for. There can be doubt that the tramway is a great public benefit, but the company must not be allowed to go so far as to make it a public nuisance. We are glad, therefore, to find that Mr. Gapes holds the views he does on this question. And now we come to a part of the speech with which we are anything but satisfied, dealing as it does very vaguely with a most important public question. Wo refer to the answers given by Mr. Gapes to questions relative to dealing with the Domain. The first of these had reference to the control of the Domain and public park being assumed by the Council. Into this question we do not propose at present to enter, although we do not hold with Mr. Gapes. But on the second question, whether he was in favor of leasing any part of the Domain to raise revonue, we would wish to say a word. Mr. Gapes says he has not made up his mind yet on this point. All wo can say is that it is quite time ho had. No one will for a single moment doubt the great folly of leasing any part of tho park. Sites in so picturesque and salubrious a locality would command very high prices it is true, but what would bo the result? Why that, as necessity arose for monoy, once the principle was affirmed, each successive Council would encroach still further upon the people's heritage until the latter would find themselves fenced out of it, and what should be a place of recrea-

tion for the workers and toilers in the busy hivo of industry would be converted into lawns and pleasure grounds for those who toil not nor spin. We trust that Mr. Gapes will consider this subject hefore the day of election and speak out plainly and unmistakeably. The Park arid Domain are in the hands of the people as a sacred trust for a future generation, and they dare not break it. But, with this exception, we think Mr. Gapes has made out a very fair claim to the suffrages of the burgesses. One thing he can claim, and that is that he has not scrupulously and for months past regulated his voting on certain subjects by the feeling of what effect it would have on his election, nor has he abstained from speaking his mind for the same reason. Whether such a claim can be put forward by the opposition or not we cannot say. That remains to be seen. In the meantime, Mr. Gapes has manfully put forward his platform, and as a whole, with the exception we have called attention to; in a very satisfactory manner. And moreover, special attention should be called to the way which Mr. Gapes has opened his campaign. He has met the burgesses fairly, face to face, given his views and answered all questions that have been put to him. Surely such a mode is better than the personal canvas that has distinguished his rival. It is both more manly and pleasanter for the citizens. To be button-holed by a candidate is synonymous with being bored. We all know Mr. Ayers, and have some general ideas as to his somewhat variable views- Why should he make us each personally stand and deliver. It is a species of political bnshranging to bail a man up and make him deliver a promise of his vote, on the penalty of an interminable discourse. Few men can refuse when looking down the mouth of a loaded revolver, handled by a desperado. Fewer still perhaps can refuse the promise of a vote when looking down the argumentloaded mouth of a desperate candidate for the Mayoralty. It is quite out of all reason that such a state of affairs should be allowed to prevail. We belong to a quiet and moderately God-fearing population, and to have candidates roaming the streets with municipal blunderbusses charged heavily with murderously long reasons why they should be placed at the head of the poll is an anachronism. As far as we are aware there is no law by which the police can be made to interfere, but many a man, " bailed up "as wo have described, has cast a longing look to the nearest gentleman in blue.