The Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1868.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 97, 4 September 1868, Page 2

The Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1868.

$ — As there appearg to be some doubt whether Mr Wilson is legally entitled to hold the office of Mayor after the iirsfc meeting of the Borough Council subsequent to the election on Sept. 10, ifc may be as well to set the matter afc rest definitely. On no point is the Municipal Corporations Act more clear. The first clause of Part VI, which relates to the election and privileges nf Mayor, especially says that ths Councillors shall afc a specified time, " elect one of their body, or some person not being one of "their body, but qualified to be a Councillor, to be a Mayor," The person so elected continues Mayor " uutil the next annual sceetiug of the Council." Here again, Hie Act is as plain as possible. The Council of every Borough " shall hold an annual meeting on tlie third Wednesday iv the month of December in each year." Mr Wilaou was elected Mayor, as our readers may remember, at the first meeting ot -he Council after the city came under ihe operation of the Act." And, about Mr Wilson's right to be Mayor till The 16fch day of December next, there _an be no doubt whatever. Another clause iv that part of the Act relating to the election and privileges of Mayor especially provide*-* ihafc "notwithstanding anything herein contained as to the number of the Council, or as to Councillors going oufc of olhce by rotation, the Mayor shall duriug the y. ar of office of Mayor continue to be a member of the Council." So that Mr Wibou'*. caso i* provided ior in every respect. We ure not aware that those who have ~ni_ed doubts on the subject, or who hnve •.fleeted to be uncertain about the provisions of the Act, desire to see Mr Wilson's term of office cut short. In justice to Mr Wilson, and to the ratepayers generally, we have thought ifc right to put the question beyond a doubt.