The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3809, 13 May 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1891.

To-morrow Messrs Feist, Perry, T. Chamberlain, Gapper, Heron, Dixon, Hessey, E. Chamberlain, and Alex. Mutrie are arrayed in the municipal contest against Messrs Renall, Eton, Johnston, "Wagg, L. J. Hooper, J. Hooper, Cullen, and Spademan. The former team is evidently the stronger one and, other conditions being equal, ought to place all its men. We do not, however, feel quite sure of such a result, because the other side has displayed more activity in preparing for the fight, and in some respects it is better organised for the fray. There is perhaps a natural tendency on the part of the anti-Renallites to be a little conscious of their strength and to under-rate their adversaries. This, if any, would be the weak point of the first named team. We feel certain that the feeling of the burgesses generally is in their favor, and tbat after waiting years for a practical scheme from Mr Renall they are not disposed to perpetuate the difficulty. In whatever way Mr Renall's case can be presented by legal subtlety the broad fact remains that his project rests upon an illegal appropriation of the Waipoua river which at any time may be determined. Mr Pownall talked last night about his independence, but if, instead of being Mayor, he had been retained as counsel for Mr Renall he could not have identified himself more clobely with the "grand old mm " tban he has .done. This is the secret of Mr Pownall's utter failuro as Mayor of this town. On the eve of an election Mr Renall's suppo' ters always claim to be independent, but the way they are made to "come to heel" when he calls them shows where the shoe pinches. Does onr local contemporary, who tries to draw a red herriog across the scent, possess, or has he ever possessed, a shred of independence respecting municipal questions ? Has he not been bound hand and foot to Mr Renall's chariot has been said too about Mr ReDall' 1 * , unpopularity. Now this is a mistake, because the burgesses rather like the veteran. It is the bainacles who cling to him and mate use of him for their own purposes who are disliked and distrusted.