THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 6

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Municipal apathy is a vice that is not peculiar to Christchurch, but the citizens veil deserved, the rebuke that was administered to them, by the Mayor last night. Mr Dougall has made a vigorous attempt to quieten the publio life of the city and to initiate reforms of a far-reaching character, and it is strange indeed that only a mere handful of the people immediately concerned should care to listen to an account of his stewardship. . But it is evident that the Mayor was not discouraged by the prevalent apathy, and his speech was both practical and progressive. The improvement of the oity’s railway facilities, the construction of good roads and the incorporation of the closelysettled. districts that lie outside the present city boundaries were the matters that he pressed upon public attention, and undoubtedly they are the matters that the new Mayor, whoever he may bo, should attack boldly during his term of office. The need for good roads is admitted by overybody, and sinco the tarred macadam surface has been proved to he adapted to the means as well as to the requirements of the city, the oul3 r point really remaining to be considered is that of finance. The question of railway rates and facilities has been simplified, too, by the temporary removal of the canal scheme from the field of practical discussion, and we should all be able to join in making very strong representations to the Minister of Railways. The new Mayor will be required to lead the agitation, and wo hope that the other candidates for the office will lose no time in following Mr Dougall’s good example by placing their programmes before the citizens.