FALSE RUMOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 16

FALSE RUMOURS

CANDIDATE SPEAKS OUT EFFECT UPON ELECTION HOSPITAL BOARD. CONFIDENCE [BY TELKGfIAFH —OWN CORHKSPONDEXTJ NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday Stating that a campaign of calumny had been waged against him during the local body elections, in which lie Mas defeated by Mr. E. ft. C. Gilmour for the Mayoralty, but held his seat, .although at the bottom of the poll, on the Taranaki Hospital Board, Mr. P. E. Stainton made his reply at a board meeting to-day. Every member ot' the board supported the protest and Mr. Stainton was re-elected chairman unopposed. Before accepting nomination, Mr. Stainton said he was in duty bound to refer to vile and slanderous charges made against his integrity. If there was a suspicion of truth in any of the rumours it was the duty of the board to elect another chairman. Mr. Stainton, however, acknowledged the complete fairness of Mr. Gilmour, his opponent in the mayoral contest, and said they were the best of friends. "Before the matter is even considered by the board," said Mr. Stainton, "1 feel in duty bound to bring to your attention the attitude of citizens as expressed in the polling figures last Wednesday, and the freely current rumours that I believe were largely tho cause of the people's verdict. Nature of Rumours "If there is a semblance of belief on the part of board members that there is any truth in these rumours, it is your bounden duty to appoint someone else to the position of chairman.. As this is the only opportunity of doing so, 1 am compelled to make a brief reference to these rumours, which, in some cases, have been highly malicious and slanderous; indeed, were they even partly correct 1 have no right to occupy any public position whatsoever. . "I have been charged, for instance, that by some mysterious method of collusion I have influenced board members to agree to Dr. Rich and Dr. Taylor going to England against the interests of tho hospital and tho ratepayers; that by another mysterious method 1 received some reward for contracts let by the board, and that I was a party to the petrol shortages of the New Plymouth Borough Council's tramway depot. In fact, it has been openly stated that the investigations were not proceeded with by the police because they found 1 was implicated." 11 Absolutely False " "Such a suggestion is absolutely false," interjected Mr. Gilmour. "Yes, Mr. Gilmour knows full well the vigorous steps 1 took to this matter cleared up," continued Mr. Stainton. "Deeply as 1 resent these and other grossly unfair attacks on my character, I realise that the verdict of the electors must bo accepted and I accept it cheerfully. They exercised their right of expressing their appreciation of services rendered, and it is not my desire to detract in any way from the success of other contestants, whom I congratulate. "During the past five years," Mr. Stainton continued, "I have filled tho position of chairman of this board to the best«of my ability and without fear or favour to anyone. I have no alternative but to register my protest at the campaign of calumny of which I have been a victim and to invite anyone to come forward and substantiate any of the rumours that were current. I repeat that I feel it is right and proper to present the whole position to you before you elect a new chairman."