Not Downhearted

NZ Truth, Issue 1203, 20 December 1928, Page 6

Not Downhearted

LIKE a battle m which fortune wavers between the opposing sides, the Bay of Islands contest was for a long time m doubt. But Colonel Allan Bell is now numbered with the slain. Sad, of course, for the soldierly Bell to see his rival walk off wearing the crown of victory, but inevitable where political , prizes go by public fa,vor. * He stepped into Parliament m 1922, when he left standing, and astonished, the courtly Vernon Reed. Bell was a soldier long before he succumbed to the allure of politics. He v served m the Matabele and Boer wars, and back m New Zealand he cut a gallant and distinguished figure a s commander of the Waikato Mounted Rifles. Never a fervent admirer of party politics, his vote was. yet right for . Gordon Goates when it was really required. But a member of his independent temperament could hardly be expected to jump at the crack of a party whip. Thus Bell was without yet - within the select and satisfied circle of Reform. He tolls loudly ih the Winterless North does the massive Bell. A popular chap, and yet riot courting the plaudits of the crowd, he believes that there is a mightier Auckland to the north of the Queen City. The development of the dairying industry owes more than 'a bagatelle to his interest and energy.