£50 CHALLENGE RE RAILWAY MATTERS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1912, Page 3

£50 CHALLENGE RE RAILWAY MATTERS.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —In your issue of the 22nd instant is a letter from Mr James McLeod in which he states :—

" Might I intrude further on " your space to inform the pub- " lie of Helensville how I earned " Fifty Pounds for the Helens- " ville Library."

This is somewhat akin to how Doctor Cook reported on how he discovered the North Pole.

Mr McLeod has not yet accepted my challenge —after he has done so some independent person must give his verdict, for no doubt much as Mr McLeod would like to be both accuser and judge, we live in a British Colony where the weak and the strong alike are entitled to fair trial. Meanwhile as Mr McLeod has again returned to a subject which I thought in the interest. of our township had been done: with and buried, I cannot allow his further remarks to go by unchallenged. Proceeding further with Mr McLeod's letter of the 23rd inst. on this subject he says : —

" At a meeting I called on Saturday, "April 27th, in the Forester's Hall, " to protest against the action of the " Chairman of the Town Board in " trying to prevent the Express Train " stopping at Helensville South " Station."

11l his notice of the 27th April Mr McLeod calls the meeting (see copy of his notice):

" For the purpose of Protesting " against the proposed Express Trains " not stopping at Helensville South " Station."

I leave your readers to observe the difference. So much for general statements —one contrary to the other.

Mr McLeod's letter of the 22nd instant goes on to say : —

" I explained to the meeting Avhat " had taken place and how I had dis- " covered the Chairman of the Town " Board to be working against the "stop at Helensvilie South." The report of the meeting reads (see Press copy) :—

"He informed Mr Stewart that he " was going to bring it (the non-stop "of trains at Helensville South) be"fore the Minister -whereupon mem- " bers were buttonholed to go against " it, but one member was not with "him."

Again, as on the platform on" the Saturday night I give this statement a complete denial, and as Mr McLeod has been good enough to publish letters (which I shall deal with later) that have passed between Mr Smith (his co-partner in this business) and himself, your readers will now find that I also publish something interesting (but from the opposite point of view) from the other delegates (Mr McLeod) "I was challenged by "him to name an authority for say"ing he had opposed the*stop, and if " I could prove it he "would give " Fifty Pounds to the Helcnsvillc " Library."

Mr McLeod never accepted my challenge although I twice called from the platform " Will you take it up ? " and a voice also from the audience called (see report of meeting) "Take it up and help the Library."

(Mr McLeod) " 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 "either spoken, to Mr. Smith' or Mr " .Jackman on. the matter, and would '-'pay the Fifty Ptiunds if I could " prove my statement."

Another general statement, I would advise Mr McLeod to read Tennyson's " Grandmother."

Your issue of the }st irtstant describes irsy ariswgr correctly :•-—

" I have nveer applied to the (Railway) Manager nor buttonholed members."

Mr McLeod stated that he could name two and on my asking for the names said "Mr Smith of Matakohe," ancj on ir>y. pressing for. the qthpr siis <l Mr Jackmaii," tpVhiah I Ve-plieid ; '^What nonsense ! Mr Jackman only passed through Helensville to-day and laughed at the idea of you calling this, meeting, if you can get it from Jackman in writing that I buttondoled him, I would give £50 to the Library-" ;

I distinctly asked him (Mr McLood) " Will you take it up ? " Th<- statement now n.ado by Mr Mcit.eod is 'thai Mr 'Smith of Matakohe was his authority, This is news to me and I immediately wired Mr Jackman and received his reply within one iour—see telegrair, puuMslied him :• '"Stewari,'■Helensvi'lle — You had vno conversation with me whatever re trains stopping at Helensville South; the only person who , spoke to me on this matter was 'MrMcLeod. fSgd.) Jackman.". a Then again•■ Mr McLeod. .says: \ '". 0 woiirdask you as a beneij.t to. tk.Q ]V •'■Eiib-rai'yand also iv jXistice'io niyi ' A self, to'publisli a. copy of a, letter'l •; " sent 'to Mr S.witb. and also his letter ) "in reply.,1 ' \Mr Editor, I also would ask tha\iVlr MeLeod as a benefit to the library, and in justice to mysel accept my challenge conx oaiiioan, this letter and then corr 'i fii2 c the original -niatV

"I (Mr McLeod) 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 Chair-> "man of the Board did to catch Mr " Smith and try to make his marble "good,"

I never rushed the train nor did I meet it. Ido not deny that I saw Mr Smith just as he was leaving by the " Tuirangi." It was not with the intention of making my marble good—Mr McLeod will find all my marbles at the foot of this letter. He is welcome to play with Mr Smith's marble now and all the time —I never have had any use for it. But there is one thing in which I think your readers will agree with me, and that is that this private spying is intolerable.

Mr McLeod at his meeting said : — "He would like to ask Mr Stewart if "he pulled the strings that the Goods " Shed at Helensville South was not " required, and that while he (Mc- " Leod) was interviewing the Minister " at Helensville South regarding it "Mr Stewart was telling Mr fßowles "the Traffic Manager, that it was " not required."

And then again the last Town Board meeting, Mr McLeod, in reference to my gift of a garden seat, stated:

"Another of the Chairman's lone "hands to steal a march on us, but "I happened to overhear a conversa- " tion on the telephone and to get " wind of it, and Mr Wilson and my- " self also ordered seats from the same "firm and all three Went out together."

Dealing with Mr McLeod's letter to Mr Smith, and Mr Smith's reply to Mr McLeod, I would refer your readers to the length of time taken to bring these letters before the public —the meeting was held in Helensville on the 27th April and the letters published in the issue of this paper of 22nd May. As regards these letters, I can give no better answer to the statements made by Messrs McLeod and Smith than that telegraphed 2iie by Mr Jackman, who is Chairman of the Otamatea County Council, one of the speakers arranged for at the Conference at Auckland, while Mr Smith was not. In his letter to M r McLeod, M r Smith goes out of his way to make the following statement:

"I was present at the interview with " the Minister, and was not aware of "any discord other than caused by " Mr Stewart interfering with you " (McLeod) when speaking at the " said interview."

Compare this with the version telegraphed by the Hon. A. M. Myers : " J. Stewart, Helensville, —In reply to your telegram of even date, I desire to state that you certainly did not create any discord at deputation which waited on me at Auckland, neither am I aware that there was anything which could be construed to be such.—A. M. Myers."

At the meeting held in the Foresters' Hall, Saturday night, 27th April, in reply to certain statements made by M r MoLeod, I threw out two distinct challenges of £50 each. Repeating again my words twice said on this occasion to Mr McLeod, " Will you take it up V" he remained silent. Since then he has not advised me that he is prepared to accept my challenge. Am I to understand that now, after a lapse of a month, ho desires to proceed ? If so I again challenge him and will he glad if he will name an Arbitrator on his oehalf armed with the money (£100) and I will do likewise. ! Both Arbitrators to settle on an Umpire. The Unipire then, will hear t»oth side* an.d submit the i questions to be answered to the Minister, General Manager, and Traffic Manager for Railways, all I the members who waited on the Minister in connection with this Railway matter and decide on the resu}t as to who is lo pay forfeit ito ilie Library. The loser also to pay all costs of the finding. Further than this I have no wish to continue this controversy. Yours faithfully, JAMES S r(IE\VA.'RT. pomes pi Telegrams, 22 -\ }2. "■Hon. A, M, Myers, Wellington— In a letter written by E. C. Smith to Mr James McLeod and published by him in local paper regarding railway deputation to you at Ministerial P.yovus, Auckland; stf.ted \.y vOv respondent: ' 1 was present at the intcnview with the Minister nnd was not awaro of any di?cord other than that caused by Mr Stewart interfering wirivyp.u MoLeocl) whon spooking- at the said interview.' ; D ; id I cfiy.se'a^y discord '?■ Kindly wire reply.—Jamos Btewnvt." ! Reply •_ " J. Stewart, E^., Uelensville,— In reply to your telegram of ovoc dc\to I desire to say that you, di.t uo£. create' $>u;y discord at deputation whi&li waited on me at Auckland, neither am I aware that ihern was anything which could bo construed as such.—Arthur M. Myers." " Junkman, Whakapiran—Elated at Helensville that when goin^ to Ivailway Gonieronie, Aiicldand/V bnttwi lidlod you, 'to oppose Sxpvc^f, trains sto.ppin.g at : Helo'j.svi:ic South Station, Is 'this correct y Plenso wiio rojuy colleot.—James Stewart." Itoply :- " '* James Stewart, Helensville,— You had no conversation with me whatever re trains stepping at Helens-A-illo Soutli. The only person who spoke to mo on thic; iaatfsi'; 'V,;as My. MoTieod.—O/uikmaii^ .■ Following are the letter sent by Mr Stewart to Messis Thos. Coates, Auck-

land ; J. 11. Shepherd, Port Albert.; Hon. E. Mitcliel&on, Auckland ; Frank Dye, Kaukapakapa : J. H. Hudson, Hoteo ; F. Manders, Marsden ; W; 11. Jackmau, Whakapirau ; Gr. Thompson Kaipara Flats ; J. Gr. Uoates, Mata*> kohe; A. E. Haidmg, Maungawhare ; and F. Clarke, Kaiwaka, and their replies :—

" Dear Sirs, -On Friday. 26th April a deputation..of "which were a member, waited on the Minister for Railways (Hon. A, M. Myers) at the Minister's Rooms, Auckland, to sup-< port certain resolutions regarding the North Auckland Railway Service. At

a public meeting called by Mr Jas. McLeod., and held in the Foresters' Hall, Helensville, on Saturday. 27th April, ' For the purpose of protesting against the proposed Express trains not stopping at Helensville South" (see copy of Meeting Notice attached), Mr McLeod stated : ' Members were buttenlioled to go against it (the trains stopping at Helensville South)' As a member of the Deputation, did I buttonhole you, and were you satisfied that I worked in the interest of the Railway Service ? " —James Stewart. 23/5/12.

"Dear Sir, —In reply to your letter of the 23rd inst,, and concerning- the deputation which waited upon Mr A. M. Myers, Minister for Railways on Friday 20th April, to ask for an improved railway service on the North Auckland Eailway. You were one of the principal speakers, and a very strong advocate for an Express train to run between Helensviile and Auckland, and you certainly did not try to influence rue to vote or speak against the express tvain calling at Helensviile South. The general opinion amongst the members of the deputation was that the express train should jstot call atHelensville South, and Mr Konayne, (xeneral Manage^ and Mr Bowles were both very decided in their opinions upon this matter.—Yours truly, Thomas Coates."

" Dear Sir,—ln reply to yours of tlio 23rd inst. asking if I was button^ holed by you 1o go against the proposed Express train stopping at Helensville South, also if I was satisfied that you Avorked in the interest of the Hailway service. You certainly did not buttonhole me or say one word to me on the subject. I was surprised and annoyed that Mr McLeod should bring the matter up at the Minister's Rooms after we (the Conference at Helensville) had decided to leave which stations to stop at with the Railway Department. I was quite satisfied that you worked, and worked well, in the 'interest of. the Railway Servico and those concerned, — Yours faithfully, .J. I-I. Shepherd."

" Dear Sir, —In reply to youvs of the 23rd., I have to state that you made no remark to me as to where trains were to stop, but simply asked if 1 would form one of the deputation. The only reference made to me regarding the non stop at Holensvillo South was mado by Mr S. McLood, who stated that he understood tiat such was in contemplation and that ho was going to protest against it, which ho did, and after he had done so, you stated that the Committee ap~. pointed had decided to leave the question of stoppages to the .Department, which was the proper course to take, 3S ro mention ay.is mado to me either by you or any other member of the depu-» tation suggesting that the Express train should not stop at Helensvillo South —Yours truly, E. M.itcholson,"

; " Dear Sir, —In reply to }-ours of i May 23rd, on Iho morning that the ; deputation waited on the Minister of I Railway s in regard to alterations to jbo made iv llio running of tlio trains | north, T unfortunately arrived too Jato !to hear what tlio pi-occodincs were in ! the Minister?' Room, but attended, tlio ! mooting held in the Maun^er's Room !at tin* Railway Station. At, tlio latter i mooting I cannot remember hearing' j anything in reference to tlio stopping !of tlio Express at ITilensville .South. I I do not remember having had j any private conversation with you \\n regard to railway matters, — Faith- | fully yours, V. Dyt\ |lt Dear Sir, —1 have your enquiry ire Railway Deputation. I was thorI oughly satisfied with your behaviour [ upon that Deputation as far as I per- ! sonally was concerned and I c.or,o.o^ve ; that you lock the lpr,d in (Staining ' i |iibQtau/ v ja]'a i dvanUg.es to the district, j I \va,s. certainly not tdittoVilioled iv any j : invidious sevibo, and I strongly object ! to privato conversation being stigm-i- j i tised in such terms, Tlio sole and i ; only cause of dissension to mv iin^d . was the time-tuble suQ-^euiea oy "tlie i Depart!I:.?r.t, ,v,ul w'aTi.h 1" judge to j have been devised (uul sent on with \ lull intention of providing a bone of ; contention to shield oflici.il. dtiU.iis.,uents. • ! Regretting t\\.A y v u sho.uld l\i\ve suffu.recl, s".c.li u'usplayed iiuiuitatian.-^-lui-i lieve me, yours sinforflv, m, H- liu«l«. ' : soil/ ''' '' ' I ■'' Dear ISir.—T am in receipt of | I yours of tho '2;) rd inst ,re Deputation j waiting on the Minister of Haihyays in order to secure c-erh\ia improve- | inputs \w tiic rvinning of tlio Express | , train 7iorthwai\it. ; and I wish to say in : re[)ly that neithnr you nor anyone else ; buttonholed me in regard to the mat- I ; ter, and I certainly think you did your ! ' best iv regard to tho service. —I. j | Mander." | i "'.D.ei'.r Sii\ — 1 always understood thai the public were, at Heleivsville, a i ; peaceful and liai;.i)V family, but from . your letter oi' the Ulk'd May, I a:u sorry i that -I iliall have to change my opinI ion. Ido net remember you speaking ito me at all about the train stopping iat Ilelensvillo South. Mr McLeod ■ asked me to support his request for j the train to stop at the. ab.ove. iu,enj tione.l place ;. n;y anQ,\vO.v. to. kin's was ! tlict. Ik iya:;. a'piyfiy iac-al matter and ;:th,a'6 t wov.kt neither speak for nor I against tins particular stoppage, and ! when I spoke in Auckland in favour !of the time-table being shortened, I ■ never mentioned llelensville Snuth.

.From what I con gather, the Hon. A. M. Myers had made up his mind belore we interviewed him, as to the stopping place. I don't remombsr at the interview that any one spoke against this particular stoppage, but when Mr McLeod asked the Minister to make Helens-yiHe South one of the stopping places, he emphatically refused his request.—Yours truly, W. H. Jackman."

"Dear Sir, —In xeply to yours of the 25th inst. nave pleasure in stating that you did not buttonhole me, and I was quite satisfied that jou worked in the interest of the railway service. —Yours truly, G, W. Thompson." " Dear Sir, —I presume the attached is from you dated the 23rd inst,, and in reply to your question : ' Did you buttonhole me in regard to the pro posed timetable? ' I can truthfully say that you did not. neither did you suggest any stopping place for any trains, but to the contrai'y, you carefully avoided any suggestion as to where trains should stop, This can be borne out by every member of the deputation that waited on Mr Myers. If I am. no^; mistaken you made a statement alluding to stopping places, to the effect that it was purely the Eailway Department's business as to where trains should stop, and that the deputation should not enter into the question, However, I am prepared to swear that you did not buttonhole me, nor when, before Mr Myers, did you suggest cutting any stations out. Anything further you may require as to what transpired, I am prepared to furnish you' with at any time to the best of my memory.—Sincerely yours, J. Gordon Coates."

note—The letter I sent to Mr Gordon Coates, through an oversight, was unsigned, hence Mr Coates opening remarks.

" Dear Sir, In re the attached letter ; you did not buttonhole me about closing any station. I think your Action was in the interests of the public in order to secure a better rail service. You did not say you wanted any particular station closed, but merely asked for a quicker service.—Yours truly. Alfred Harding."