WORD DOUBTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 236, 5 October 1937, Page 14

WORD DOUBTED.

MAYOR'S CHALLENGE.

CONTEST WITH MEMBER.

BY-ELECTION SUGGFSTED.

(From Our Corrf>spon<]pnt.) PALMERSTON NORTH. Monday. There was an exciting ending to wfoat had been a comparatively quiet meeting of the Pnlmerston North City Council to-night, when the Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, challenged Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., to contest the mayoralty in the hopes of putting an end to differences that have marked the council proceedings for several months.

"My word has been doubted again to-night." stated Mr. Mansford, "and it is not for the first time. I have been accused of bribery and corruption and this can't be allowed to go on. I have been patient, but we are sent here by the people to do the people's business.

Interests of Ratepayers.

"I am going to make this suggestion to Mr. Hodgens." the Mayor continued. "If he likes I am prepared to resign from the mayoral chair. He can resign as a councillor and -contest the mayoralty with me. Personalities have been introduced into the council meeting which should not have been. I am doing this in order to try to get the whole position cleaned up in the interests of the ratepayers, but the loser must pay by retiring from public life for four years. He can accept that challenge or not. I do not want to turn the council into a bear garden, but it has got to stop."

Former Challenge Alleged.

Mr. Hodgens: There has been a challenge made already by men asking you to meet a person nominated by them. I would not dare to intrude on the challenge already issued. We can' discuss this other matter when the first is settled satisfactorily.

The Mayor said there was no other challenge. Mr. W. B. Tennent said he thought the council could guess Mr. Hodgens , answer to the challenge from the attitude he had adopted in reply. He, too, deprecated the insults hurled at the Mayor and considered "it was high time the council took notice and had it stopped. "I think you have been most patient throughout the whole business and I hope it will be settled for all time," he concluded. The council then adjourned.