THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1899, Page 2

THE HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION.

TO MR E. BELL.

'A deputation consisting of Mr G. S. Kissling, Mr H. Gummer, and Mr R. 3. Hardy waited' upon Mr E. Bell at his nffice, Victoria Arcade, with respect to the election of a representative for Northcote and Birkenhead on the Harbour Board. Mr C. E,. Button '(Mayor of Birkenhead) and Mr Kay, members of that Council, -were also present. Mr Button explained that Mr Kay and himself were not part of the" deputation, but had simply attended as councilors to see what went on.

Mr G. S. Kissling said he had been asked to speak on behalf of the deputation With respect to the coming election of a representative on the Harbour Board for Birkenhead and Northcote. They fully appreciated the valuable services Mr Bell had rendered to Birkenhead," and Avished it to be perfectly understood at the outset that there was no personal feeling in the action they had decided to take. Said Mr Kissling: 'It is simply that we feel that Mr Witherford has more power to do the district good than you have at the present time, Mr Bell. Circumstances are ; such that he now has influence which may be beneficial to the district, and > we have come to ask you to give way on this occasion. It is purely with a view to advancing the interests of the district, that we make this request to you. We are parties to the ' petition, and we feel strongly that Mr Witherford has been of great service to the Harbour already, and his valuable services are recognised generally, and we feel he has considerable influence, and that we ought to have his services as a member of the Harbour Board for the benefit of the district. Therefore, we hope you will take the same view of it as we do, namely, that it will be to our mutual advantage for Mr Witherford to be elected. I wish you to understand distinctly this is not in any way a personal affair.' Mr Bell said, in reply: 'I am exceedingly sorry you gentlemen are placed in such a position. You admit I have done my duty as a member of the Board, that I have been true in the discharge of my duties so far as the district is concerned, and I may say that during my term of Office l£2, 150 6/3 has been spent in connection with your district, a larger sum than this district ever had expended by the Board in any similar previous period, and you also state there is no personal objection to me in tms respect, I must say it leaves you, gentlemen, in a very peculiar position. You have no real reason to ask me to withdraw excepting that you believe Mr Witherford's influence will be more beneficial to the district, I contend that position is hardly a sound one. In Regard to Mr Witherford, the public have an idea that he has rendered great services in connection with the Callioue Dock, but I "do not coincide with that idea. Ldok- ' ed at. commercially as a business arrangement, what does it amount to? The Board's expenditure on the dock in the past, and that to which it i« mitted will amount to fully £200,000, and for that the Admiralty contributes -£32,000. The Board has also to maintain the Dock in a state of efficiency. I consider-it an .unwise step. When Nicaragua Canal is cut, this being a great ocean highway, it will be to our disadvantage for the - Admiralty to have the first claim to the Dock, which might mean trading ships having to make way for war vessels in the Dock. We will, however, lay aside that. You* contention is that Mr Witheford will do more than I can. As I have shown you, during the time I have been on the Board the district has progressed wonderfully. It comes to this, gentlemen; I wish to state my position clearly. Before Mr Witheford was spoken of at, all I asked the members of the Council in a friendly way if they would support me, and five out of seven promised to do so. Now, in the face of that, I consider the action of Mr, Witheford's supporter* is certainly not very creditable. They have tried to coerce and intimidate the members of the Birkenhead Cduiicil, and placed them in an un- , pleasant position. I present the means used. Members of the Council state they were told that if they voted fo* md they would be turned out of the Council. I am not at all anxious for this position, but as a matter of public duty I contend we should expect in political and municipal affairs courtesy and kindness to one another. I am sorry, gentlemen, you are placed in such a contemptible position as you are this morning. Mr WithefOrd's supporters first of all endeavour to fdree me out of this position by intimidation and getting up bogus petitions. Why a number have told me they regret that their signatures were attached to the petitions. Under the circumstances I cannot give any answer at the present time. I must insist on- an apology being made to the members of the Birkenhead Council, and after that I may consider your request, I do not believe in browbeating. Had Wf WithefOrd'6 supporters come to me at first. I would willingly have retired, as I am not anxious for this position. Mr Kissling said it was questionable whether a public body should pledge itself to support any candidate before ell are announced. .Mr Bell:. I wish it to he clearly understood I have not referred to Mr Witheford himself in this matter, but his supporters. •■' Mr Kissling contended the petition was, not a bogus one. Although the Same of the syndicate in which he was interested appeared first on the list, they had nothing to do with getting up the petition. There was a strong filing throughout the district, and also in Auckland, that Mr Witheford should be on the Board. As to the intimidation of members, he did not know where it came in. Probably someone might have told a Councillor that if he voted against Mr Bell he would not be elected again, and, looking at the petition, it did seem as if such might be the result. Mr Bell: Quite a number came to me and stated they were caught on the hop when they signed the petition. Of the four names at the head of the petition, two have stated they are altogether opposed to if. Mr Button: Personally I have had no intimidation. I have been told indirectly that it was said if the Council voted for Mr Bell the members would be turned Out next election. Mr Bell: Two of the membeTß of the Council have been threatened by one of the leaders in this movement, Mr Gummer: T am one of the leaders. T suppose, but I deny having used intimidation. Mr Kav: I have not received any Intimidation, and if I had it would not make any difference in mv actions. As the deputati6tt was retiring-; Mr Cell remarked, 'Well, good-day; gentie-

men. I am sdrry you did not come with a better case.' Mr Kissling replied, 'You must ascribe that to our charity.'