READERS’ OPINION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 4

READERS’ OPINION

MAYORAL ELECTION

“A TRUE SPORT.”

(To the Editor.) gir—As the main theme or A True Sport’s” so-called athletic controversy appears to be a discussion on the respective merits of W. In gram and R. H. Brown, and Misses Wilson and Eastwood, a great deall o ■ discussion could he avoided it tnc matter were thoroughly taken up by my critic, and his expert views expressed under “Athletic Notes - by “A True Sport.” I am sure they would be read with interest and I to* one would not criticise his viei a There are one or two statements in “A True Sport’s” letter winch 1 am compelled to answer as they are contrary to fact, in fairness to Miss Mantan I would like to state that Miss Wilson only competed against her once in Gisborne, so bow sue could be defeated twice is difficult to say. Again, his reference to Miss Eastward’s injury whilst at the New Zealand championships is hardly sportsmanlike. The least said the better, but for further information 1 would refer him to Mrs H I. horster, who acted as chaperon, Digger Douglas, and Dr Williams, .of Auckland? I am specially leaving out her coach, as “A True Sport” may think him biased. I would further like to ask my critic why Miss Wilson’s name iwas even brought into the Controversy, especially when he made a misstatement as regards the Auckland Centre. I also notice that my critic has diplomatically failed to refer to some main points of my previous reply. I really don’t blame him for that. I apologise to “A True Sport for forgetting about the meeting or Ingram and Brown at Kaiteratali.. He* should go further and tell us how they fared off their respective marks Unlike “A True. Sport,” I do not wish to criticise his opinion as to die merits of the lady runners of New Zealand. He is quite entitled to hi» views. Further, he may he an expert whose qualifications (if any) to express on opinion are much highei than mine. Of course, he* would not discuss this matter unless he had seen the various races he names, ana would not also mention Miss Swinburne unless he had seen her in action. Is that so/ lor A A Sport’s” edification it may interest him to know that Miss Swinburne was defeated last Saturday week in a scratch race by Miss Mantan, Co ms and Bovd. She was with Misses Shephens and Jane, unplaced in the event. In conclusion 1 may state tha. contioversiea of this nature do no amateur sport, especially when statements are made which cannot be su - stantiated. This discussion could be carried on for quite a period without anv direct finality being reached not as far as I am concerned, but doubt less as far as “A True Sport” acknowledge.—l- am Tom^etc.^

. (To the Editor.) Sir I must ■ certainly nano b„ .v the palm lor sophistry to your coi respondent, A., f. Nice . He evidentlv wishes to impart the belief m E) readers that my Beanments are not sincere as regards Mi Ann strong and Mr Coleman being equally estimable gentlemen. lerhaps Mr Nicol does not echo my seinmietits so fully but I, like kimselr, can only vote for one, no matter what mj sentiments are as to chaiacter, etc. Therefore, the only just ground tot choice is that of. municipal pohtics and their application by the gentlemen named; and the manner in which that application appeals v-O me. In my criticism of Mr Armstrong as a local politician, 1 duc-ed three distinct facts, and dea.Lwith them on positive lines and, -n fairness to Air Armstrong, leit him the option of explanation by press or public platform as suited him. Jindulged in no theory which 1 consider is outside the pale of fair play. Does Air Nic-ol act in the same =trai‘ T htior\vard manner.-' No: He indulges in a mythical theory, whicu is obscured by something which he either cannot, or dare not, define, against Mr Coleman. Will Mr Nicol drop scurrilous innuendo and derive his meaning in clear terms, so that Mi- Coleman may have the same fair option that : I have given Air Armstrong —namely reply by press or public platform. As regards the question of impartiality in adjudicating in municipal affairs, 1 cannot see any difference between Air Armstrong and Air Coleman, with the exception, that Air Coleman certainly has shown the greater measure of that, qualification called “courage ot conviction” which leads a man to follow the dictates of his conscience as to fair balance in all phases of the matter under discussion. Probab- | ly Air Nicol would understand my | meaning Wetter had lie followed my practice and attended Borough Council meetings, instead of being content with your journal’s necessarily condensed reports ( 1 mean no reflection upon your journal in this, Air Editor.) I am rather sorry that a correspondent of A. J. Nicol’s mental calibre should have made such a reference to “Air Coleman's pet hobby”. Whatever he means is not defined. He leads me to think he refers to the N.Z. Labor Party platform ideas. If so, I can state positively that Air Nicol could advance his own pet hobby of amateur theatricals among a council and more easily persuade them to perform say “The Pirates of Penzance" (not Gisborne) than Air Coleman would have of utilising any ideas conveyed by the N.Z. Labor Party platform. Air Nicol knows I state tile truth, but dare not admit it, as chairman of Air Armstrong’s election committee. Your correspondent thinks 1 am unfair in chiding Air Armstrong upon his showing on the Harbor .Board. 1 have'fairly and cleanly criticised Air Armstrong upon published facts, and l am not supposed to know what lias transpired in committee. If the evil of committee work is hiding the value of our local politicians, it is their Uusiness to abolish it, and let the public know what they are doing, for or against our interests as ratepayers .etc. “Honesty does not fear the light”. Air Nicol credits Air Armstrong with being; the means of inducing the Harbor Board to recognise the gravity of the Wh a reon gaonga matter. He was a long time getting a start, for lie only showed up when the Alqyoral chair was mooted. He was surely as well informed -as myself, and, without intended egotism, I may state that I, under the nom-de-plumes of “Dummy; Mate” and “Casuist” repeatedly 1 pointed out the weakness. of the situation, and the need for inquiry before matters became more complicated and created unnecessary expense. Why did not Mr Armstrong earlier get to work and/as a trained engineer, show the Board more confirmation was needed than the report by Professor Speight and before undue expenditure was indulged in? The position is still most doubtful and yet money is being lavished on the quarry. Why P Mr Armstrong should know. We don’t! Air Nicol goes on to give the “king pin” of Air Armstrong’s candidature a hefty smack, by advancing the fallacy of “technical skill and engineering ability” as a prime ; necessity in a new Mayor. As Air Nicol is chairman of Air Armstrongs committee, I. presume he and Ins colleagues have decided’ to try a new idea, namely, a dual position of consulting ngineer and mayor combined in one glorious office at the honorarium" of. per annum. This theory is - bunkum when - we . - consider ' the fact that we have a salaried borough

engineer, who supplies plans,- specifications, supervision, and expert opinion to the council and in usual practice, . the Borough Engineer’s opinions are accepted as paramount to the Alayor and 'otherwise the stability of the engineering department is affected, and a virtual no-confidence motion endues upon the Borough Engineer. Is this the position this “engineer plus mayor” stunt aims at? I wonder! This theorv of selecting a candidate for ids professional ability does not rarrv a good precedent to support ita advisability. Was Air W. D. Lysnar elected because he was a barrister and solicitor, and might super advise as it were the borough legal advisors? Was Air J. R. Kirk elected on the same basis? Was Air AVildish elected for four consecutive terms lie cause he had inside knowledge as to what dog collars should cost, or the value ot saddlery in the borough affairs? Certainly not! A man’s popolitical acumen in municipal affairs is the only just qualification to judge by in selecting our new Alayor. Who has shown the greater measure of true political force and ability, to deal instantly in a firm manner with a critical situation? The man whom the majority think has those qualifications should lie our Alayor.—l am, Yours etc.. SAAI J. PEARSON, 31 Parau St., Kaiti.