The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1876.

Who is the coming Mayor of ChristCburch? Notwithstanding the facta that Provinces in New Zealand have been just abolished, that a European war is imminent, that unprecedentedly great disturbances are just now taking place on the moon's surface, and one of Jupiter's satellites is said to exhibit certain abnormal variations— notwithBtandiog these things, time is still found for much animated discussion as to who nexfc ia to do grace to that chair, which will shortly be vacated by

the present Mayor. "We refer to thia circumstance with tho more pleasure, because ifc has lately become the custom of many to neglect the smaller, bit more immediately interesting local affairs, for the sake of contemplating the grand designs, and attending to tho profound utterances of the great men, Who wero recently deliberating in Wellington. It is pleasant to thinkthat those deliberations have at length been brought to a termination — " happy," it can only be called in the fact that it is a termination — and that the peoplo can now contract their minds to the less extended sphere of j local public affairs, and their sight to thoso who administer them, With respect to tho election of Mayor, it had been anticipated that tbe.next holder of this office would have been chosen under the new Municipal Corporations Act, in which case the burgesses would have been entitled to give only one voto each. It seems, howover, that at the last moment an amendment was introduced by the Legislative Council, and agreod to by tho House, postponing the operation of the Act until January 1. Consequently, the elections for the ensuing year will tako place in accordance with the provisions pf the former Municipal Corporations Acts. This, we believe, to be a matter for congratulation, for we regard the limitation of burgesses to a single voto in tho election of Mayor as an innovation in a wrong direction, aad one which is certain hereafter to produce an evil result in the quality of the men who in some cases will be elected to the office of Mayor. Ifc has also been supposed that the ooming election would take place under the Regulation of Local Elections Act, which has just become law. But that Act is incorporated with the new Municipal Act, and consequently cannot come into force bofore the last-named measure, unless on proclamation by the Governor issued at the request of at least two-thirds of the members of the local body, that is, the City Council. No such request having been made, the Act does not apply. With respect to the probable candidates for the office of Mayor, two only have as yet been mentioned, and these two have, we believe, signified their willingness to stand. They aro Councillors Gapes and Ick. There will be ample time, if it should be necessary, to discuss the relative merits of these gentlemen as contrasted one with the other, and we are glad to postpone for a while those personal observations which, however laudatory, must be more or less distasteful to modest candidates, but which it is abaolutely necessary should be made in elections of this kind. There can, however, bo no objection on the score of precipitancy to the indication of an opinion oy the expression of a hopo that the choice of the burgesses will not be confined to the two gentlemen named. Others were spoken of as probable candidates some time ago, but there is no reason for supposing that they seriously intend to come forward. With respect to the present Mayor, we are informed that he has definitely resolved not to seek office again. This, if true, is a matter for regret, as it is admitted on all hands that Mr Hobbs has discharged his duties with a thoroughness and zeal which will not be readily equalled by his successor. At least it would be well if somo of those, who recognise this, and think tbat the chances of change should not be lightly encountered, would wait upon him, and test the strength of his resolution to retire.