The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1908. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9222, 29 April 1908, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1908. THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

The Mayoral election, which is proceeding to-day, is attracting very little attention, probably because the result is regarded as a foregone conclusion for Mr George Pa3'ling. But it is not too late yet to make this assurance doubly sure. Councillor Allison's friends will probably rally unanimously to his support, but many of the ratepayers who are favouring the present Mayer's re-election will abstain from voting under the impression that their votes will not be required to effect that result. This is not a very complimentaiy policy, and its over-indulgence has upon many an occasion lost elections which seemed quite as safe as the. present one. Mr Payling has filled the Mayoral chair with conspicuous ability since he first took office during the latter part of the tenure of the late Sir John Hall, and he has been associated with a clearly-defined and progressive policy. HLs general tact and unfailing courtesy have won him many admirers, and he has done credit to himself and brought honour to the city during tbe two years of his administration. Councillor Allison, upon the other hand, is a typical representative of the intensely conservative faction of the Council, whoe© one idea is to keep down th© rates even at the expense of stagnation. He is a quaint mixture of contradictions. Although he favours fhe suggestion to purchase the gasworks he opposed the only practical proposal laid before the Council to effect that object during his term of office. H© approved of th© erection of a tepid swimming bath, but resigned from the Bath Committee because the bath cost mor© to erect than was provided by the loan sanctioned by the ratepayers. He opposed the proposal to purchase the Canterbury Hall and also the proposal to secure a portion of the Bank of New Zealand property for the purpose of widening Colombo Street. He has obstructed the establishment of a water supply upon a comprehensive scale, and such support as he has given to schemes for the betterment of th© city has been given half-heartedly and grudgingly and in a cheap and nasty manner. His experience of public life has been confined to his association with th© Sydenham and Greater Christchurch municipalities, and his notoriously unsuccessful attempt to oust Mr Ell from his seat in Parliament is the one shining feature of his sedate and conservative career. He has absolutely no claim to represent the city in the Mayoral chair, and his assumption of office would be a grievous calamity and a serious check to the progressive party in Christchurch. Mr Payling, on the other hand, has used every endeavour to put into operation reforms and improvements which tho city has lacked for far too many years. He has not always been as successful as h© could hay© wished, but this has not been due to any lack of energy ox determination upon his part. The polls will not close until seven o'clock to-night, and ther© ie ample time yet for his friends to see that his victory is a substantial and complete vindication of his policy and his performances.