THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1881. THE MAYORALTY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2389, 29 November 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1881. THE MAYORALTY.

The polling for the Mayoralty takes place to-morrow, and is likely to evoke & considerable amount of interest. Mr. Gapes has thought discretion the better part of valour, and retired unceremoniously. It is well that he has done so, for even his best friends were despondent, especially after his exceedingly lame attempt at explanation on Friday night. And a very lame attempt It was indeed. He stated that his principal reason for coming forward was, that he might hava a favorable opportunity of explaining matters in which Lis municipal conduct had been called into question. Another reason was, that he did not wish to hava it said that there was no one in tha Council who had not the spirit to enter into the contest. In saying that Mr. Gapes must surely have allowed his tongue to run away with him, for ho knows very well that whatever the shortcomings of his brother Councillors may be, want of spirit is not one. If a “ favorable opportunity” for setting himself right was all he wanted, then we can only say that he ought to have sought one “ on the quiet,” for his public utterances have ceased to be regarded as reliable. For instance, he said that there was a credit balance of £2700, which he advocated should be spent upon channelling private streets. That the work is necessary for the sake of cleanliness and health nobody will deny. But we deny that there is any such sum available for the purpose. The money may be, and doubtless is, lying in the Bank, but certain overdrawn accounts have to be provided for, and other current liabilities mot. Then there is the work of forming the South belt. Nearly £IOOO will have to be paid to the borough of Sydenham on account of that, so Mr. Gapes’ £2700 will have melted considerably by the time it has satisfied all the demands likely to be made upon it. Then there was the little episode of the Governor’s dinner told by Mr. Gapes with the air of a man who had just escaped a financial earthquake. £SO towards a Yice-Regal dinner! Preposterous idea; no wonder that ho congratulated himself for having “ got out of it very well for £28.” Mr. Gapes once said in connection with municipal affairs, that he had “ leanings towards economy.” We believe him. Ho leans very strong in that direction. Bat there is no need to pursue the subject further. He has executed another somersault and disappeared from the scene, and, like a flickering candle, left a strong smell behind. With regard to the two rem(fining candidates, there can he no difficulty in deciding which is the more fitting occupant for the Mayoral chair. Those who heard the addresses delivered by them at the Theatre last night could not help contrasting the flights of fancy with which Mr. Taylor regaled his audience, with the plain businesslike utterances of Mr. Ruddenklau. Tbe former gentleman, on coming forward, remarked that never before was the colony so stirred to its depths, or was there so much political excitement as at present, “and Christchurch had not escaped from the vortex.” The profundity of this observation “ stirred ” the audience considerably. They felt that hitherto they had underrated the importance of the Mayoral election. The eyes of tho colony wero upon, them; it was awhirl with excitement, “ and Christchurch had not escaped from tho vortex.” Their impending fate, however, did not appear* to ev.ercisa a very terrifying effect upon their aervos, and they sat calmly waiting a farther flow of eloquence. Mr. Taylor, however, took fright at the prospect, and did net pursue the subject. He next told thorn that his great grand parents were part of the small band who, after the War of Independence in America, remained loyal to tho British Crowe. Now, hero is a claim which wo are sure tho citizens will not have the heart to overlook. It is not every man that knows who his great grand parents 'were, much less if they were “ loyal.” But Mr. Taylor does, and

therefore ho posseses strong claims upon onr sympathies. Ha did not furt or en largo upon the career of bis ancestors, and their fate remained wrapt in obscurity to the severe disappointment of the audience. His next successful “ point” was that “ be considered that the Mayor of such a city as Christchurch should ho one whoso social standing was such as to demand the respect of the citizens, and enable him to receive distinguished guests in a fitting manner.” Any lingering doubts in the minds of his hearers as to Mr. Taylor’s fitness for the office wore instantly dispelled by this remark, and a committee was at once formed to import fifty “ distinguished guests” at £2B each [vide Gapes) to bo entertained in a “fitting manner” by Mr Taylor. It was also thought that this would enable Mr. Taylor to add considerably to his stock of “ executive and administrative ability derived from municipal experience.” But to be serious. The citizens will be called upon to-morrow to elect one of the two gentlemen now before them, and we venture the hope that Mr. Ruddenklau will bo the man of their choice. His plain outspoken words last night are but the reflex of a clear and straightforward mind, while, as for municipal experience, he has double and treble that of Mr. Taylor. Mr. Buddenklau’s “ administrative and executive ability” has been favourably displayed in the conduct of his own affairs, and affords a guarantee that the business of the city will not bo neglected in his hands. Although he has not told us about the feats of his “ great-grand-parents,” wo have no doubt that, as their representative, he is “ loyal,” and will do good service to the city if elected.