Twenty-four citizens have occupied the mayoral chair of Christchurch since the Town Council met at 10 a.m. on the 10th of June, 1868, for the purpose of electing the city's first mayor. The members present at the meeting were: Messrs W. Wilson, J. P. Jameson, T. Tombs, J. G. Ruddenklau, Henry Thomson, W. A. Sheppard, and John Anderson, who occupied the chair. Mr Thomson, in a laudatory speech, proposed Mr Wilson as the first mayor of Christchurch, and Mr Tombs seconded the proposition. Mr Anderson, as chairman, put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried unanimously. On that date the “Municipal Corporations Act, 1867,” came into force. Prior to that time the following gentlemen were successively chairmen of the town council; Sir John Hall in 1862 and 1863, Mr John Oilivier in 1863 and 1864, Mr Isaac Luck in 1865, Mr E. B. Bishop in 1866, and Mr W. Wilson in 1867. After Mr Wilson's term as mayor, he was followed successively by Messrs John Anderson, A. Duncan, J. P. Jameson, H. Sawtell, E. B. Bishop, and M. B. Hart, each for a term of one year. Mr F. Hobbs then filled the chair for the years 1875 and 1876. Next followed Mr James Gapes, who subsequently held office for another term; Mr Henry Thomson for one year, and Mr. C. T. Iek for two years, occupying the position during the interim. Messrs J. G. Ruddenklan, C. P. Hulbert, A. Ayers, and C. Liuisson followed respectively, each for two years; and Mr Louisson also had the honour of being reelected for 1898 and 1899. After Mr Louisson's first term the chair was occupied successively by Messrs S. Mnnning, C. M. Gray, W. Prudhoe, Eden George, and Thomas Gapes. Mr W. H. Cooper was mayor for the years 1895 and 1897, and Mr H. J. Beswick filled the position for the intervening year, 1896. Mr W. Reece was mayor during the Jubilee year, 1900, and held the position till April, 1901, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. E. G. Rhodes. The present Mayor, Mr. H. F. Wigram, was elected in April, 1902.