PUKEKOHE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 269, 24 April 1917, Page 2

PUKEKOHE MAYORAL ELECTION.

A Reply to Mr Mason.

It was not our intention to have dealt editorially with the mayoral contest in Pukekohe nor is i our purpose even now to tako up sid -s on the issue. At the same time it becomes necesxary for us to refute certain statements prejudicial to the "Times" contained in a circular issued liy Mr Mason, the retiring Mayor. The statements we refer to are that remarks in these columns are insincere and that unrelial/e information is also published. To such a charge wo give a distinct denial. Mr Mason has throughout bis term of cilice taken up the attitude that it was unwarrantable for the "Times" *to criticise his or the Council's doings, apparently forgetting that the press exists for the public good and that fair comment often iectities eirors perhaps committed without nn.ture judgment Mr Mason's hostility to I this paper indoed became so ma iked that less thau twelve months ag > he seconded a motion in the Couuei* Chamber cancelling the adverti-ing contract the Council thou had with the "Times," Mr Mason contending that as adveitising was a formal mutter the Council's object could bo achieved l>y adveitising in one of the Auckland pipers instead <>f in ilie "Times." On this point we would simplv rem-.il: that following 'ip this dociriuo Mr Mason should just as 1 igically argue 'kat all the i itsinoss of Fukolcohe should re transacted with Auckland urteicbants To lii.: own oa.-f we wonder if lie w uld .siipwst Mia' local members: of ihe legal pnd'ess'on s!n uld he passed over ami oii!> Aueklat d lav vers i;i ployi d We I Idirk this 1 11(1 ent, iii It.-elf, \\ ithoii! enlarging 01. < 'her ciicun saicc-, a1i0;,:., i (inclusive evi (b nee ol' Mi Mi: oil's statements in

his circular, sn i 1 r us we tiro concerned, !,.liking ill" ordinary elenif'Hts df "fair play," t'li! we loa ■•' it tn ciit ii a<li r- ('i form their own judgment on llie point In tho i-us-(iiiii na course of jmiriialislic mi,tine matters of ii confidential natiue, of wliieli |iulil!i'niii ii is i aturilly nl tho tin e 111.ill- i:;|!i!i', (vine lo on r kliowlorige awl iiistei I of th w arting the i ',.in,c| liv ri polling tlio same we have consistently obseivori sih me. We Mr Mnson to say th it the '•Tillies'' li i- not at nil tun. - Mtmliiiiislv ami cnri fully earned owl this curie uf huiiour, which is the fjoiioiis • ii-liiioii of the liiitiali press

! TO THE EDITORS Sir—ln a circular issued by Mr H. Q. R. Mason, as an election address, lie, without naming me personally, suggests that I am opposing him by more or less underhand means. Mr Mason says that, the rasult of the last loan poll shows the worth of those in opposition to hiia. I would remind Mr Mason that the Chamber of Commerce's action in objecting to the proposed loan was simply due to the refusal of the Council to secure independent expert engineering ad- , vice. What was the sequel? Mr Mason, on the eve of the poll, gave Mr Wm. Roulston a verbal assurance (i.e., his word of honour) that if the loan was carried an "outside" engineer would be engaged and en the strength of that pledge opposition was withdrawn and the loan was approved—as the result mainly of Mr Roulston making Mr Mason's promise known and vigorously encouraging ratepayers to support the loan Yet after "the loan was carried Mr Mason broke his word of honour to Mr Roulston by voting against the appointment of an "outside" engineer 7 Then again Mr Mason, in his circular, suggests that I have ulterior I motives in organising an An/ac Day celebration and he asks "Why did we not have such fervent patriotism last year when there was no elec tion ? " My answer to this is that much to the disgust of the residents of Pukekoho last year the Mayor neglected to arrange any celebration of the anniversary of Anzac Day. Finding this year that the Mayor was exhibiting the same indifference as last year 1, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, determined that the occasion should not be allowed to pass unrecognised The reason I stepped into the breach was simply owing to Mr Mason's want of action which I and others resent.—Yours HENRY DELL, President, Pukekohe Chamber of

Commerce