The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1876.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 96, 11 August 1876, Page 2

The Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1876.

I> otir' iV!o!ul.->.y"s i.-Httc v. o published a front niir special correspondent in Duntflin, ft.iting that Mr. H. S. Fish. jttn. r one ttip newly-elected Councillors for the rity, !:.ih ijivcn notice of Lis intention to move r.t the nest sitting of the Council that tjie fnttire tlrction of the Cliief should lie in the hands of ■ th.it l)o4y. We liave not hecn able to Een.ni th«* r>'a3i>n» sjtVfii by the mover for suef turty aU'ji'ntion. and indeed we are not aware that he even attempted to give any. 2v» itKiCU-r, however, what arguments might be advanced in support of the step, we feci assured there are far more weighty and c«gent reasons to be urged against it. I'nder the existing arrangement tt»> man w!to=<e conduct has been marked by consistency and attention to thp drttie* lie has been elected to fullil, may rest assured of h<>tiKf the chosen of the people. Af th« otntpaiyn which prccedt'A the- eandiditfure for the Jtayond Chatr itecessitateA an appeal to the masses, and a eonse«|Hont ren-lerinii an account of tlwir stewmrdahip, it iiwmiriiy follows that tt iff a mo=tt wholesome chetpie tipon ctrafic cottncil!or>t. We fail to nee what benetit would result from the innovation, and we certainly believe that .Mr. Ff*H T if not .standing ab-iolntcly alone in his desire to make the contemplated change, will be found in a large minority. \W have pointed out a few of the benifits accruing from the present system, but we ask, what would be the result should the re.whttion be mifornately carried. The civic chair would then be entirely in the hands of the Council, and opportunities given for the cli'pieism and i.■'.'-rolling which notoriously exists where the office i* out of the hands of rhe t• »x-s. We all blow very well how the strings are pulled and the oracle worked by partisanship. Councillor Fish aspires to be the Chairman of trie Council, and Councillor Fish has a tail —we are speaking metaphorically—the said appendage being certain other City Fathers who favor the ambition of the aspiring Fish. Councillor fs \ u has also his heart upon the proud position, and Councillor Isaac :s not withoui supporters who endorse hi* pretensions. S<> an appeal is made to Tommy i Dodd as to who shall ttke precedence, I with the distinct understanding that the j winner and successful candidate .it the expiration of the term of ollice, shall throw I his whole weight into the scale to have his I quondam opponent duly installed as his successor. 31 r. Fisn, in days gone by, | has filled the highest civic position on two f occasions—if not with credit, at least in a f manner which tlid not cr.ll for adverse criticism ; he th?n disappeared for a time, and the Council Chamber ceased to re- ( echo with his ringing eloquence: while the reporters, seeing his chair filled with a less loquacious member, smiled be- | ittgnly. and nibbed their hands with glee, i But -Mr. Fish ha«u again floated to i the surface, and, tttre to his instincts. [ at once into his native element, the | temperature of which becomes immediately • change*! on lust approach. Whitj-ixuto.v | was thrice Lord Mayor, and 31r. Fish ! proba"My wishes to tiy the eJTeet of the [ magic number. As we said before, the J gentleman has a tail, and a powerful one ! jin the Council,/and were the resolution j j which h.e was so eager to inove to become ; ! hw T the chances are ten to one he would : i vivaKliis English prototype. But Ave ' i.iight a.*k, why is he so anxious for the : Is he afraid to leave his chance j i the voice of the people-? • We don't : I Know, but certainly, in the absence of a j I letter reason, it is the most likely solution j !• of the problem. We truat the good sense j : of the Council, and a deference for what | we fee! assured would be the wishes of the ; electors, will prevent.the motion of Mr. j I Fish from coming intp.effect, so that what- I may be moti*iarTrhich | Maolutioii, it may frus- i 1