The Star. MONDAY, SEPT. 21, 1874.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2040, 21 September 1874, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, SEPT. 21, 1874.

■ ~- T" -- ■: - . ... ■ The ratepayers of Wellington are evidently determined to make the best use of the privilege of electing their Mayors lately accorded them by Parliament, fpr we learn by telegram, that a requisition is in course of signature inviting Mr George Hunter, member for Wellington City in the House of Representatives, to stand for the office. Tho bare fact of siich a requisition being set on foot is, of itself, B.gnifi- , cant. It may be assumed' — for it generally is ascertained beforehand — tliat the gentleman to whom ibe requisition is addressed is i repared to entertain .it favourably, and that because the office of Mayor haa become more honourable, more to be sought after, through its occupant having been made the chosen of the citizens instead of bein^ elected by the City Councillors. We are well aware that the Christchurch City Council, in timet) past were, and as far as we know, still are averse to give up tlie privilege of electing the Mayor themselves. The ebiel reason lor (his, is; a feeling that tbe higher office, of Mayor Bhoiild be tbe reward of serviceman the inferior office of- City. Councillor... We do not dispute Mhat those who have done _ the ratepayers good service as City Councillors have a claim to consideration on that account, and we have little doubt but thai, such a claim would readily be recognised by the ratepayers supposing that the Councillor in whose favour it was preferred was in other ways suitable for the 5 highest municipal office. Of this the ratepayers would be the best judges, and if they refused to elect a candidate who, although he had served and been efficient as a Councillor, was in other respects ineligible, ro much the better for the City Council. He would be^ a bold man who would say at a pubtie^meeting of ratepayers that every tn&mber . of the present City Couucil is fit tb Joe Mayor of Christehureb, and yet, providing his own good secse does .not come tbxtfie rescue, the most unsuitable ro,emoterJ will in due course eucceed to tbe office if the rotation system followed by the j Council continues lo obtain. Such an event would be no less tban a public misfortune, as it must inevitably have a bad effect on the Council, (or it ia highly import ant that its tone and dignity should be kept up. No one knows better than the Councillors how much this depends on the Mayor, and therefore none ought to be more eager for the

adoption of a system more likely than the present to lead the best men in the community to consent to assume tbe responsibilities of the position. This evening the Council will be invited tb discuss tbe question as to tbe desirability or otherwise of making an alj lowance or paying a salary to the [ Mayor, and it will be well for them to take »v early opportunity of considering tbe mode of election to that offii-e. If tbey do not do so the probabilities are that tbe.. ratepayers themselves, will take the matter in hand.