A PERSONAL QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 15

A PERSONAL QUESTION.

LAND DEALS IN WAITAKERES.

MR. VAILE REFUTES STATEMENT A ROAD TO ST. HELIERS. Replying to a questioner at a public meeting at St. Hcliers last evening. Mr. H. E. Vaile. who is contesting the city Mayoralty, gavo a flat contradiction to an imputation against him concerning land deals in the Waitakcres. The meeting. which was presided over by Mr. J. W. Carr, was attended by about 240 residents, those accompanying Mr. Vaile on the platform being Mr. C. J. Lovegrove and Mr. R. Glover-Clark. "It is said that you have be-jn responsible lor selling land in tho Waitakores to tho City Council at £4OO an acre," was tho text ot the question. Mr. Vaile said he understood that statement had been made on a number of occasions. "It is grossly untrue," he said. "Tho highest price my firm has sold land in the Waitakeres for is £lO an acre, and then only for u small area."

In further vindication the candidate quoted a published statement by tho Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, who had explained that Mr. Vaile had for some time been doing the work for the City Council of acquiring property for scenic reserves in the ranges without remuneration to himself or to his firm. "I would like to reiterate thai Mr. Vaile was doing his work free of commission," the Mayor had said. "Mr. Vaile has contributed toward .the acquisition of land in that area by purchasing 45 acres of magnificent bush and presenting it to tho city as a free gift to be added to tho Waitakere Park. 1 would also like to say that Mr. Vaile had nothing to do with the purchase of acres of land at Titirangi for £3500."

In the course of his address the candidate heartily supported an extension of the waterfront road to St. Heliers, "1 have always been an advocate of the road." he declared amid applause. "I believe it should ultimately be extended right on to Tamaki on the one side and to the west of the cily on the other, thus completing a great circular drive all round Auckland. That, of course, is a matter for the future, but of immediate importance is the extension of the load to St. Heliers. (Applause.) It seems fo me a waste to finish the road at Orakei or Kohimararna, because the bulk of the population is further on. No time should be lost in extending the road to St. Heliers." The candidate also advocated a system of all-night telephones in the St. Heliers district, to facilitate fire brigade communication. Mr. Vaile congratulated St. Heliers on joining the city. "I am first and foremost a Greater Aucklandcr," he said, "and I hope the time will come when wo shall have a great and united municipality, well governed and directed, with a permanent staff, for the benefit of all."

The candidate was thanked for his address, and, on (he motion of Mr. Lovegrove, seconded by Mr. B. C. Chdwell, was accorded a vote of confidence.

CANI)[DATE INELIGIBLE

HOSPITAL BOARD CHAIRMAN. NOT ON ELECTORS' LIST. [r.V TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Unusual circumstances have deprived the Rev. R. B. Gosnell, chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board, of the right to contest the forth coming election. When he was stationed at Waitara Mr. Gosnell represented the Waitara-Ingle wood district on the board. Later lie moved to Now Plymouth. He continued to represent the same district, but at the forthcoming elections was to have been nominated as the representative of New Plymouth Borough. At the last moment it was found that he was not enrolled on the New Plymouth district electors' list, and also that he had been removed from that of his former district. He was, therefore, not eligible for nomination.

CAN 1)1 DATES' ADDRESSES

THIS EVENING'S MEETINGS. Public meetings advertised for this evening arc as follows: Mr. G. Baildon (Auckland Mayoralty) Parnell Library, 8 p.m. Mr. H. E. Yaile (Auckland Mayoralty). —Leys Institute, Ponsonby, 8 p.m. Mr. W. A. Bishop (Wnitcniata Conniv Council). —Titirangi Kiosk, 7.45 p.m. Mi 1 . J. Pi. Lundon (Auckland City Council).—Town Hall (Monday), 7.45 p.m