THE VACANT SEAT ON THE COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3624, 10 September 1912, Page 6

THE VACANT SEAT ON THE COUNCIL.

(to the editor.) Sir.—The present contest must lie described as an unexampled one, for the election has been narrowed down to a contest between ex-Cr Collins and the Borough Engineer, at the bidding or the former gentleman. A)'as ever such a ridiculous proposal put before a free people hitherto? And yet it seems we are forced to submit to it. Cr Collins on resigning practically insisted on a vote on “Collins or Paterson,” and left it at that, and lias remained a sealed oyster since. Mr Paterson, being il Borough employee, cannot reply to ativ charges made against him, and as he anneal’s to be in bad odor with the ratepayers in consequence of the wretched -state of some of the roads, Cr Collins has all the best- of it. But if Air Paterson were a free lance lie might be able to satisfy the electors that the blame should not he put- on his shoulders. But surely the Borough Engineer has some friends who could force Dr. Collins into the open. AVe all remember what a heaven-horn genius Air Paterson was in t-lie eves of ex-Crs. Darton, Sheridan, Clayton and Collins, at the time he was altering some of Air Lysnar’s plans. By a strange coincidence, any proposal emanating from this quartette found favor with Air Paterson. If Cr Gollins lias not shown his “gratitude, other three should enter the election contest- and make it as hot for ex-Cr Collins as they did for Air Lysnar. It is certainly up to them to stick to their old idol (Air Paterson) when he is called on to fight when handcuffed.—Yours, etc., AYATCHAIAN. Gisborne, Sept. 9.