AN ABSURD CANARD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3044, 14 November 1908, Page 4

AN ABSURD CANARD.

The manufacture and circulation of untrue statements in regard to candidates is by no means uncommon during election time. It is often impossible to trace such statements to their origin, and, indeed, a candidate sometimes finds that it is impossible for him to shield himself from a false and damaging statement. It is a regrettable fact in connection with Mr Hunter's candidature for the Masterton seat that more than one rumour, without truth, has been spread. We do not suggest for a moment that those who are openly Mr Hunter's opponents are in any way responsible for tactics that are the reverse of creditable, but, apparently, Mr Hunter has to contend with some concealeJ foe of a malicious character. For instance, it has been spread about in Masterton that Mr Hunter was —to put ifc briefly -not a success while a member of the Nelson City Council; that, although returned at the head of the poll, on the first available opportunity afterwards the ratepayers of Nelson rejected his services. Now, the actual facts relating to Mr Hunter's connection with the Nelson City Council are decidedly different. Despite a large number of candidates offering their services when Mr Hunter stood for a seat in the Nelson City Council, he was returned at the head ot the poll, and some hundred votes ahead of the candidate who scored second place. After serving as a City Councillor for twelve months, Mr Hunter resigned, his tender for the erection of the Wellington Town Hall having been accepted. Obviously,. Mr Hunter's business interests compelled him to leave Nelson. When retiring from the Council his work was most warmly eulogised, the then Mayor pointing out that Mr Hunter had given the Council the advantage of his great practical experience, while Cr Harley, a well-known solicitor in that town, remarked that the Mayor had not gone far enough-—that Mr Hunter had not only brought practical experience, but common sense with him to the Council. How different is truth from untruth!