CORRESPONDENCE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 May 1912, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

£50 CHALLENGE

TO THE EDITOtti

Sir,—-Might I intrude further on your space to inform the public of Helensville hoY I have earned fifty pounds fpr the Helensville Library. At a meeting I called on Saturday, April 27th, in the Foresters' Hall to protest against the action of the Chairman of the Town Board, Mr James Stewart, in trying to prevent the express train stopping at Helensville South station. I explained to the meeting what had taken place, and how I had discovered the Chairman of the Town Board to be working against the stop at Helensville South; I was challenged by him to name an authority for saying he had opposed the stop, and if I could prove it he would give fifty pounds to the Helensville.Library. I then stated that Mr R. Smith, of Matakohe, was my authority for saying that Mr Stewart had approached both him and Mr Jackman to oppose my efforts to procure the stop. Mr Stewart still denied that he had ever spoken to either Mr Smith or Mr Jackman. on the ;matter,fand would pay the fifty pounds if I qoutd prove my statement". I wofald now ask you as a benefit to the Library, and also in justice to myself, to publish a copy of a letter which I sent to Mr Smith and also his letter in reply. I might state that I have not seen or spoken to Mr Smith since that meeting, and did not rush the train on the Monday morning following the meeting as the Chairman of the Board did to catch Mr Smith and try to make his marble good. I can only ask that Mr Stewart should pay over the fifty pounds to the Library committee. I was twitted in a letter which appeared in your issue of May Bth and fathered by our Joseph with the coat of many colours, that my statements, .when I got going, could riot be relied on ; as the issue now stands I leave that for your readers to decide. I use no game of bluff by backing my truthfulness against fifty pounds. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., James McLeod. • (Copies). . Helensville, April 28th, 1912, Mr R. Smith, Dear Sir,—When talking on the street after leaving the City Hall on Thursday night last, I understood you to say that James Stewart had approached both you and Mr Jackman to oppose my efforts in procuring a stop of the express at Helensville South. I taxed him with the matter and he denies that he ever spoke to either of you about the stop at Helensville South. He has also stated in public that I caused discord at the interview with the Minister for Railways through not backing up what had been carried at the meeting of delegates at Helensville. I would be much obliged if you would reply to both these questions. We have met on several conferences together, and you will be able to state if you have ever known me to cause discord or interfere with a speaker as Mr McLeod did with me when waiting on the Minister, j —Yours truly, James McLeod. '

Matakohe, May 13th, 1912. Mr James McLeod, Dear Sir, — Yours of the 28th April to hand. I would have replied sooner if I . had not been away from home. You are quite right in thinking that Mr J. Stewart did speak to me about the train stopping at Helensville South, and tried to persuade me that it was quite unnecessary, and that I should op- : pose it. I was present at the interview with the Minister and was not aware of any discord other than that caused by Mr Stewart interfering with you when speaking at the said interview. I should have supported you had I been called on to speak. Further I have been on several conferences with you, and have always found you most reasonable and respectful to the other members, ■^■w-^jtnxious always to do what you thought was in the best interests of the community generally, — Yours faithfully, R. C. Smith.