MAYORAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7716, 22 November 1890, Page 6

MAYORAL ELECTION.

■ ... TO XXX BDITea OF IBM PBXSS. Sm,—ln Mr Gray's address last evening he stated that Mr Frudhoe retired when hefouud tbere was aoc fcoiasz to be a walk over for him. That, however, was not correct, for, in a conversation with Mr Prudhoe this morning, he informed mc that when Mr Gray aad he talked over the election for the Mayoralty, Mr G. distinctly- agreed to wait three or four days for his decision as to standing. Mr Prudhoe's own words were as follow:— "Now, air, £ had made up my mind to stand.'and was quite surprised to nee that Mr Gray had thrown mc over and issued an address—so surprised that some of my friends waited on Jlr Gray and asked him to retire, which he declined to do. Had Mr Gray waited for my answer, 1 should have stood for the civic chair as the senior Councillor."--Yours, &c. t ; ■: E. HXOBN«, Armagh street, Christchurch, .November zlst, 1&0.

MR RiJBEKTSON'S UOitFLAINT. '-,■ TO THJB BDITOtt OF THJ* PBJS33. . Sib,—Will you kindly gruat mc space to refute Mr AUaa'a aue-ataceineate Iα your tasue ot to-day. Hβ charges mc with being; unpleasant and dbuo..ious in the metre quarters. This i* absolutely false. Oac of torty-tfve men *orty are out camping, and I have not.seen or apoken to them for several weeks. He accuses mc of taking the men to public-houses in Rukala to attend polltical meetings. There has never been to my knowledge any political meeting held in jttakaia in botela or else where. Oue evening two of Mr Allan's men met mc oh the rJ&d to itakaia. One told mc he had been informed by letter that he could not vote, as his name, appeared on the roll elaewhere. I recommended him to see Mr McLachlan, who was then in Raiaia. The other asked mc where he could see the roll, to learn if his name appeared on it. I referred him also to Mr McLachlan., Both meaeavr Mr McLachlan in the hotel separately, neither oX them remained five minutes, and one, I kuow, did uot drink uoythiog., If Mr McLachlan had not been a personal friend ol mine I should not have entered a hotel even to see him. I have, as is well known, been a consistent abstainer for over twenty years, and many gentlemen of high eraudlng can teatify to mj innocence of the grave charge of Inciting men to drinfe brought against mc by Mr Allan. i Mr Allan says he has no wish to Interfere with bis men's political views, and, further, that I left of my own accord. He came to mc when at work one day and asked mc if it was true, as he was told, that I was supporting Mr McLachlan. I said it was. He said that as be was a strong supporter of Sir John Hall he eoahiiiot allow his men to oppose him. and gave mc a week'e notice. I replied if that was the case 1 had better leave at once. ;■■■■•

lain perfectly willing to meet Mr Allan in any public hail, and to call his fortyfive men to prove whether. I have ever been unpleasant, obnoxious, or unkind, or the contrary. They will also testify that I. have never attempted to influence the vote of any oae of them, unless a friendly discussion of politics after b nurd day's work may be looked upoa as influence. ■■..-... _

The uniform kindness aud courtesy I have met with at toe handa of theAc&on working men I can never forget* Of the manager's conduct the less I say the &c John Bobeetsow. Christchurcb, 21st November, 1890.