A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 285, 26 November 1908, Page 2

A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

-Ml!. GEORGE HUTCHISON AND MR. REMINGTON, M.P. ANOTHER ELECTION 1 FOR RANUITIK.EI i'RORABLE. • /5y Telegraph.—l'ksb Association. Wanganui, Last Night. When Mr. Remington, candidate for ltangitikci, addressed the electors at Ennibrouk, a suburb of Wanganui, on the Thursday before the first ballot, he attacked Mr. George Hutchison for remarks that that gentleman made when' referring, in the course of a speech, to Mr. llall-.loiies and the High. Coinmissionership. lie (Mr. Remington) spoke of the ''Jinn Tuck" scandal, and said he thought that should have sullieed Mr. I Hutchison.

On the following night, Mr. Hutchison, when addressing the electors at the Opera House, dramatically referred to / Mr. Remington's criticisms, and con- i eluded by reading a letter which alleged > that Mr. Remington had named and | tiikcu twenty pounds as a reward for \ I his efforts in obtaining for one of his ] constituents the removal of a restriction j on a native title. i Mr. Remington, speaking at Taihape ] on the night before the election, said if his committee was willing, he (Mr. Remington) was quite willing, if Mr. Hutchison would put down £75 for the election expenses, to give, him a chance of seeing who stood best with the electors of Rangitikci.

Mr. Hutchison to-dav wrote as follows to Mr. Remington:—"Referring 1o your challenge that if 1 would put down 'C7S for election expenses you would give pie n chance of seeing who stood best with the electors of Rangitikci, 1 now accept the challenge. I am prepared to lodge the amount stated with any bank or responsible person, you may name, to he handed over to you unconditionallv on your resignation, and I pledge myself to contest the election with yon*. Unless this acceptance be acted "upon you will sit in Parliament as a member branded with the charge of having claimed and been paid money for performing services in connection with vonr position as member. \ou have recently been elected for Rangltikei district; hut the disclosures which led to your challenge were so recently made public that the electors have not had the opportunity of judging as to voiir true character, and in sucli circumstances it would appear to he desirable ! (is even suggested by yourself) that ! they should have another opportunity of win- whether they will remain satislied with your continuing as their representative.' I shall expect your answer in a few days, and as your challenge appeared in the newspapers of the district 1 claim the right of publishing thin acceptance of it.-(Signed) George Hutchison."