CORRESPONDENCE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1146, 7 February 1903, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

BLUFF BABBOR BOARD ELECTION. 10 THE EDITOR. Sir,—l received a letter to-day from Gore stating that I had been charged with canvassing against Mr Green. I certainly was in Gore on Wednesday, and approached by several friends for an expression of opinion on the election. What I said to thofe, I said to Mr Green himself—that if I had a vote in Gore I would give that vo:e to Mr McQueen, for the good and sufficient reason that I was certain that Mr McQueen would associate himself with no party which is usually designated the " Blufi faction" on the Boaid (a faction, by the way, comprising strong political men of both sides), his individuality is too pronounced for that, and I do not think his strongest opponent could say that it was possible to " work " him. These are the men wauted at the present juncture, as important work will devolve on the new Board in carrying out a reclamation scheme which was decided upon over 18 months ago, but which is still hung up. With the carrying out of this scheme the future prosperity of the port and of Southland largely depends. It is clearly not a case whether a candidate lives in the same street or block as a voter, or whether he is or is not identitied with some other public body; but will he take up a strong neutral position in the best interests of the port of the district, irrespective of any other considerations? The voter who can make this selection wisely on Monday will have discharged a trust faithfully.—l am, Ac, I. W. Raymond. Invereargill.