"I've Been Accused of Bribery"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 10, 5 October 1937, Page 6

"I've Been Accused of Bribery"

-l^resi AsBOoiatlon.)

MAYOR'S CHALLENGE M.P. Inyited to Contest Civic Chair PALMERSTON BICKERING

(By TeleKrnph-

PALMERSTON N., This Day. A surprising situation developed at the cdnclusion of a meeting of the Palmerston North City Couneil last night, when a ehallenge to Mr. J Hodgens, M.P., a member of the couneil, to resign from the couneil andvcon tCSt the maydralty with him, -the losei to retii'e from public life for four years, was issued by the; Mayor, Mr A. E. Mansford. "My word has 'been doubted to night, not for the first time," said tho Mayor. "I liave been accused ef' bribery and corruption. It is past tho stage where it should be allowed to go on. I have been patient, but we are sent here by the people to do' the people 's business. There have been statcments made in connection with my coming out on the platform and in connection with the appointment of tlio gasworks manager. I am going to malcq the suggestion- to Mr. Hodgeps that if ho likes I am preparod to resign from the mayoralty to contest it with him— 1 but the loser pays for it and retireS from public life for four years. "Until 1931 the administration of Ihe couneil was all right. Since then it has been all wrong. I am Saying this without any lieat. I am trying ti? get tlio whole position cleared up foi the ratepayers. Mr. Hodgens can accept that ehallenge or not. I do nol want to turn tho couneil into a beai garden, but it has got to Stop or we will have to face tlie elobj "-—One oi the two." Mr. Hodgens said he understood that g ehallenge had already been made to tlie Mayor by the men at the gasworks to address a public meeting with tbem. He would not attempt to enter a ehallenge already made. "We can discuss the ehallenge that has just been made when the first ehallenge is settled satisfactorily, " added Mr. Hodgens. "It is not a. ehallenge to the Couneil; I am challenging you, Mr. Hodgens, ' ' said the Mayor. "We have heard how Mr. Hodgens has accepted the ehallenge, said Mr. W. B. Tennent. "I deprecate the insults hurled at you. I think it is high time the couneil took nctice of this thing and called upon it to stop." The matter was tlion allowed to drop and the couneil passed on to gcnera] business, '