THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3246, 26 November 1881, Page 3

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

[To the Editor op the Daily TEManAPn.] Sib,—-Allow me to congratulate your correspondent "Squint " on the improved tone of his last letter, and likewise to thank him for acknowledging that I have evidently taken some trouble to get at the bottom of his charge against Mr Buchanan. As he has quoted my version of what occurred at the meeting previously referred to, and doea not deny a single statement, it is evident that there is some truth in my account of what took place on that occasion, and that the issue raised, and on which the division took place, was not whether Mr Goodall should visit Napier, but whether those present were willing to bear the responsibility of paying him 2A per cent on the cost of the breakwater. So far as I can learn every gentleman present was anxious to secure the services of Mr Goodall. If that be so, and I think "Squint" cannot name a person who objected, then the motion was simply on a question of prudence. Yet your correspondent still contends most unfairly that the obtaining of Mr Goodall's advice was virtually -the queation at issue. I say no, and ask your readers to judge between us. He then goes on to say, " as an illustration of the fallacy of the objection I may point out that the motion was carried, and Mr Goodall is now here, &c." All very good ; but, on the other hand, allow me to say that after the motion was carried those present practically acknowledged their error by appointing a committee consisting of Messrs Vautier, Neal, and Liddle, to arrange with Mr Goodall on the subject of his commission, and that he agreed to strike out the clause referring to the 2£ per cent. To show how " Squint" has tried to make political capital out of this affair I would draw the attentiou of your readers to the names for and against the motion ; Ayes, Messrs Smith, Liddle, Swan, Leonard, Tuxford, Jacobs, Blythe, and Bryson ; Ifoes, Messrs Buchanan, Knowles, Robjohns, and Large. Those who left the meeting previous to the division, and who I understand expressed themselves against the motion, were Messrs McVay, Neal, Close, and Dinwiddir. Mr "Vautier, being in the chair, took no part in the division. It will be seen by this that if the vote of Mr Buchanan is to be understood as indicating a desire to " burk the breakwater," then in all fairness Messrs Knowlca, Robjohns, and Large, and probably Messrs. MacVay, Neal, Cloee, and Dinwiddic, are equally guilty, and ought to be considered enemies to the prosperity of the town, which would be supremely ridiculous. Sir, it appears to me that "Squint" sadly lacks that charity which " thinketh no evil"; he cannot regard the fact of Mr Buohanan beiDg the real convener of the meeting without seeing it in the light of an "electioneering dodge." He taunts me with the old adage " none so blind as those who will not see," and I might add none so dead to all right feeling as he in whom petty prejudice has dethroned reason, who looks on all the actions of an opponent as the outcome of selfishness, and who, having once conceived a dislike, is unwilling to give the object of it the credit for one generous action. I am asked why Mr Buchanan has not recognised the necessity for a breakwater during the last four years. I simply answer I don't know. If" Squint" looks upon the cry as a good "electioneering

dodge" I contend that it was equally good as such three years ago. lie seems to know why the dodge is perpetrated Dow ; he can perhaps tell us why it W33 not tried then. I have tried to analyse the sentence in which the " white feather " is said to have been " ingeniously concealed," but have been uuable to pse ibe application, if it has any. I give it up. I cannot master the subtleties of the joke. At the request of your correspondent I have tried to adhere to facts and common sense, ami hope I have succeeded to his satisfaction. Thanking you for your courtesy in allowing this subject to bo discussed in your column?. —I am, &c, Tiros. Laws. [This correspondence must now cease. —Ed. D.T.]