FINNERTY ROAD BRIDGE AND CR. WALTER’S CHALLENGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1921, Page 2

FINNERTY ROAD BRIDGE AND CR. WALTER’S CHALLENGE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ihiere are a few points in Cr. Walter’s letter of the 27th ult. which I would draw ycur attention to. Firstly, in my letter of the 24tt ult. I endeavored to show that this dispute was not a personal one, but a county matter. The heading of his letter in reply certainly shows that he recognises this. Then why should te make the dispute a personal one between us? Secondly, in granting one the equal right of disposing of his £2O (he apparently is benefiting by the advice given in my last I) , he is quite right in stating that J am a ratepayer in the. Stratford County (only 16 months), but .be did not recognise Tbe fadt that if any of my family or self needed hospital treatment I, being a rater payer in tte Hawera district for over 20 yeari would be sent to the Hawera hospital fet treatment; thirdly, I have known Cr. Walters a number of years. We have never had any private dealing with each other, and why he should cnake this a personal matter between us beats me. Surely, he never expected me, as being a ratepayer of the Stratford County, to throw over tte Mangatoki Riding ratepayers, who have placed me in tbe position during the last 10 years, of honour, as one of their representatives on the Eltham County Council, and consent to have their rates spent on work in the Stratford County. I believe I still fetain the confidence of the ratepayers bi the Eltham County, and, others, ss mentioned by Cr. Walters, who may think I have not done the right thing. Their goodwill 1 am not seeking. Fourthly, Cr. Walter gives the Eltham County credit for paymeat of half cost of the bridge, but does not say that the claim as made by his council was reduced by the sum of £66 19s Id, or why this reduction was made. With regard to Cr. Walter’s challenge, he evidently issued it without duo thought (which is apparently a failing of his), as to settle a challenge there .would need to be a judge, and I take it ttat the judge would peed evidence for bpth sides, entries in. each council's book to' be f looked into; ete., and ns the personnel of the counties has changed, since the first -notice to Eltham .County Cowucil. of constructing a bridge, a fairly large sum vtould be. needed to pay. costs.. H<ys Cr. Walter considered this •point? As stated in my letter of the 24th ult., Cr. Walter already has a challenge from the’ Eitham ' County cleric,’ approved by tte council, to : prove or -withdraw the jltaten»en<s as reported to. have been made by him. Up to the present he has not done so. Whether Cr. Walter ignores this challenge, and refifees the courtesy which stould be extended to a neighbor,’ does not trouble me personally, but anyone who makes statements he cannot verify, the least he can do is to withdraw them. —1 am,, etc.,. . C. E. MCGUINNESS. Mangatoki, November 6.