ELECTRIC BOARD ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2392, 14 February 1922, Page 2

ELECTRIC BOARD ELECTION.

THE MAYOR ISSUES A CHALLENGE. At the conclusion of the ordinary/ business at last night’s Council meeting, the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) said that he was prepared to resign the mayoralty under certain conditions. He considered the step he was about to take was the only honourable course to pursue. He bad heard it said that the result of ihe poll for the election of a representative on the Horowhenua Electric Power Board for the borough only went to prove that he did not retain the confidence of the people. Hie questioned that, but still on the voting he could not gainsay the fact. He had heard that Cr. Whibley intended to contest the Mayoralty at the next election, and he was quite willing to resign~now and contest the seat with Cr.-Whib-ley. He went on to say that public life is very difficult and insufferable when one felt that one had not the confidence of the people. If an election was held, an opportunity would be given to the people to vote one way or the other. He thanked all the councillors, and particularly the Town Clerk, for their co-operation and help during his time with them. '* It had always been a great pleasure to him to occupy the chair, and he would regret very much should he not be re-elected. Cr. Whibley said be was astounded at what the Mayor had said. In offering his services on the Horowhenua Electric Power Board he did not consider that the Mayor had any mortgage on the position. He had been prepared to fight against anyone for the place, but did not know that the Mayor, or anyone else, had decided to become a candidate until the last minute. As to contesting the Mayoralty, he would not like to sav what he would be doing in another twelve months’ time. At the iast election he had been elected a member of the Council, and he did not consider that he should take up the action and resign his position on the Council, to fight for the Mayoralty through a whim of the Mayor. Such action would be putting the ratepayers to unnecessary expense to find out who held the greater confidence. The electors may think that someone else was more capable for representation on the Power Board than the Mayor, but that was not to say that they had no confidence in him as Mayor. He did not feel disposed to resign his position ns a councillor to contest the seat with the. Mayor. He did not say that he would even offer his services at Ihe next election for that position, which was not to say that he would not. He would continue to occupy his seat on the Council in the meantime.

Cr. Martin said that he was surprised at the action of the Mayor. He considered it looked like weakness to take such a stand. The election had been fair and straight, and he did not think it any disgrace lo he beaten. The Mayor should continue until the election, and then contest the seat. He did not see any reason for incurring more expense by having an election now. He did not consider the Mayor was acting in a sporting spirit. Cr. Walker said that the Mayor had taken a wrong impression from the voting. Out of some 800 persons entitled to vote, only 200 exercised their right. That was no criterion. He asked the Mayor to reconsider his attitude. The Mayor said that he was quite satisfied with the explanation, but he asked the councillors individually lo put themselves in his position in similar circumstances. He considered Tie was adopting a sporting spirit in taking up the attitude he had. If Cr. Whibley would accept the challenge he would contest the Mayoralty with him. He thanked ihe Councillors for their kind remarks, and said that if Cr. Whibley would not accept the challenge he would not resign. The subject then dropped.