MR WALL’S CANDIDATURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1625, 13 December 1905, Page 3

MR WALL’S CANDIDATURE.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

Sic, —I wa3 very much surprised to see ia this morning's paper a letter from Mr H. H. Wall, stating that I, among others, asked him to atand as a candidate for this electorate. I was asked to attend tbo mosting which ho alluded to, and I did so, but I did not then, or at any other time, ask Mr Wall to stand. My impression ot the time was that he had alroady m?,de up his mind to stand. Mr Holden is absent in Wellington, or ho would, I havo no doult, confirm my statement. —I am, «to., CHAS. GRAY.

MR WALL AND THE NO-LICENSE

LEAGUE

;(To the Editor Gisborne Times.; Sir,—As ono who has been behind the scenes and gleaned a good d-. a! in regard to the candidature of Mr H. H. Wal', I should liko to ask your permission to say a few words, and thou ask those on the other sido to give thoir replies to tbo same. When the question of a candidate to oppose the Hod. Jaraos Carroll for Waiapu was first mooted, the njmi of Mr 0. A. DeLautour W as freoly mentioned as being ths most formidable opponent who could be brought against him. That gentleman was approached, and for a long tune considered the advisability of coming forward on account of the imperfect state cf his health. At that time it was generally understood that another aipirant for political honors, who has since lalroa the field, was tr act ai Mr DsLnuiour’s secretary, and giv3 his effioo in town for tho purpose of assisting that gentleman’s candidature and tho cause of prohibition

generally. Mr DeLautour’s answor was long delayed, but when it camo to bend in the negative, tho would-be s:cretary was B t Wellington. Several names wire mentioned at tbo meoliogs, aud finally tho issue reea'vod itroif between Messrs Wall -and TomblesoP, and anotbor gentleman, whose internet with tho betel party by reason of bis owning an hotil on tho - Coast, or having an intorest in tho eamo, was too apparent to allow him to bo talion lin bv tho party. Tbo result of tbo several meetings held was that Mr 11. H. Waff was selected, and a tehgram to tors effect was sent totho otherprospcctive candidate, who was than in W.liingtm, a-kins him if be would bo willing to stand by his original offer to Mr DeLmtour to act as secretary and givo his oflioo, in the case of Mr Wall as be had dono in tbe case of Mr DeLautour. To this moaeago no reply oame to hand, the receiver evidently

treating it with contempt. Alter waiting for several days the leaders of tho nolioenie cause staled : “ Well, Mr , as has not deigned to reply to tho telegram we sent, we had better announce you?” The result was the publication of on advertisement announcing Mr Wall’s candidature. This advertisement was Dot inserted by Mr Well himself but by gentlemen who were acting on hie behalf. Will those samo gentlemon now ccrne forward fcad givo their names? When tho an-

nouuoomcnt of Mr Wall s cand.datu e was mala iu tho Times it was stat.d m jour news columns that a compromise had boon arrived at between the sup no'tens of tho sovcia! candidates pro posed and that Mr Wall w« * ho 3 selected one. A few days liter th > 9 9 ‘“‘° o t moot is rcfutol by the other pr 1 candidates’ supporters, and tho OHlIt ia that two Opposition candidates lake the | field and remain in to bo end. liom , your published reports it would ' appear that at all of his cosetal meetings Mr Wall cavo out that ho was tbo so ooted oaudidate of tho prohibition party, at ono mooting going so far as to givo details of tho reasons from tho prohibitionists’ point-of-viow why ho was induced to lit op in the field, and rnako that fight an absoluferly impo3aiblo ono fi*om rq Opposition point of-view. Further than this, it was gonorally given out by at left't two clergymen in tho town that they wore supporting Mr Wall. I am also informed on tie authority of tbo tooretary of tho NoLicense League that at ft meek Parliament held one ovonmg tho threo candidates tbon 'in tbo field were balloted for, tbo result of tho ballot being that everyone in tho room with one single exception voted for Mr Wall. Taking all tho oiroumslaocos of the case, and considering them oarofully, well might Mr Wall say, “ Save mo from my friends.”—l am, cto., ONLOOKER.