EXALTATION OF THE EGO

NZ Truth, Issue 817, 9 July 1921, Page 7

EXALTATION OF THE EGO

Creates Confusion m Council Mayor Thacker Invited to Resign. (From "Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) . The results of the last meeting of the Christchurch City Council promise to be interesting. To begin with Cr. Agar, who rubbed it into the mayor at that meeting, but failed to make any impression on' the Chief Magistrate's stubbornness! has resigned-. This has caused considerable- comment by press and public, and there seems to be a strong opinion that the loss to he city would not be so great But this unconventional dignitary, who suffers from exaltation of the Ego m a mild form, shows no intention of taking so drastic an action. He keeps on sawing wood, as the' Yankees say. Meanwhile his opponents are getting busy. A deputation of citizens .had a talk with Mr. Agar, whose ability as .a councillor was praised. He was asked if he would stand for the council again if Dr. Thacker -withdrew from the position he had taken up, but he said he could not do this- He was then asked if he would contest the mayoralty, if Dr. Thacker yielded- so far to public opinion as to resign his seat. It was stated that the majority of the councillors supported Mr. Agrar m his attitude, and if the Chief Magistracy of the city were contested by Dr. Thacker and Mr. Agar it would give the citizens the opportunity of saying WHO WAS RIGHT." Mr. Agar said that if Dr. Thacker resigned, he would contest the mayoralty with him. He was prepared also, as a 0 "sport," to agree m writing that the loser should pay* the expenses of ,the election, bath for the city and 'the successful candidate. 1 No action is being taken officially by the Citizens' Association, but it is likely that the candidature of Mr. J. W. feeanland, formerly deputy-mayor (who contested the mayoralty with Dr. Thacker at last election), will be supported by that body. The L.R.C. has not come to any definite decision yet as to its attitude, but if only one candidate is nominated to replace Mr. Agar, the seat will not be contested by Labor. A meeting of City Councillors was to have been held- on Monday last to consider ways and means of disciplining the mayor, but this has been postponed. So likewise seems to be a statement by the head pea of the city who hinted he might break silence m a day or two after getting Mr. Agar's challenge. As the mayor has posed as a "sport" all his life, it looks as if he had a good chance of -living up to his reputation, but public opinion does not incline to think the doctor will take up the glove thrown down to him. At anyrate he will have to take his gruel at next meeting of the City Fathers.