BOROUGH ELECTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1941, Page 4

BOROUGH ELECTION

MR GOUDGE ADDRESSES ELECTORS ALLEGATIONS OF ATTEMPTED INTIMIDATION. CRITICISM OF COUNCIL. Allegations that attempts had been made to intimidate a new candidate for election to the Borough Council were made by Mr C. R. Goudge in an address to electors in the Municipal building, Masterton, last night. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr ~W. White, presided over ah attendance of seventy. “Every unscrupulous. diabolical, crafty and petty device that could be employed has been used to prevent the municipal election,” said Mr Goudge. He alleged that a candidate had received an anonymous letter threatening him with intimidation if he did not withdraw from the contest before noon on Friday. In addition a councillor had called the candidate on the phone and told him ‘lie had a cheek to stand.’ An offer had also been made to pay the cost of the nomnation foe if the candidate withdrew. Dealing with a letter which appeared in the “Times-Age” some time ago suggesting that local body elections should be shelved for the war period, by returning sitting members unopposed, Mr Goudge suggested that it savoured of totalitarianism. He outlined the proposals contained in the letter and expressed his opposition to them. "If you have an old coat, shiny at the elbows, and give it a new lining, yon haven't got a new coat,” was Mr Goudge's description of the ' water supply improvement scheme. He pointed out that the- intakes and the reservoir which served 27 years ago for a population half the present size of Masterton were still in use. Mr Goudge criticised the position which had been created at the abattoirs when contract killing had been introduced. He stated that local butchers had walked the streets as a consequence of the council letting the contract to Invercargill men. The council had had to pay a sum "sufficient to pay for the local election” for breach, of contract when the abattoirs “collapsed like a pack of cards.” The dismissal of the Park Custodian Mr H. Sturgeon, was dealt with at length by Mr Goudge. He stated that if returned at Saturday's poll he would give notice of motion to have Mr Sturgeon reinstated. He also referred to the gas undertaking, stating that thousands of pounds had already been lost in that direction. “Mr Goudge’s address was a pack of inaccuracies,” said Mr White. He proceeded to reply to Mr Goudge’s criticisms. Proceedings became rather heated. Mr White’s action in stating the case for the council met with some disapproval. Eventually a motion of .hanks to Mr Goudge was carried unanimously.