THE WEST HARBOUR MAYORALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23501, 16 May 1938, Page 12

THE WEST HARBOUR MAYORALTY

10 .TUB EDITOR Sir,—l am not writing as a disgruntled, defeated candidate, for I definitely bow to the verdict of the majority. When I “ hit,” however. I never hit "below the belt.” Consequently, I resent un -British tactics —and this in any fight. On the day before the poll the sitting Mayor issued a circular letter and he knew full well that it would not reach many of the electors before well on in the day. This actually occurred, some circulars not being delivered until the afternoon. I was thus completely prevented from answering the assertions, more particularly the ungallaht personal portions. The idea that I had refused—this idea soon got enlarged—to pay my rates soon became disseminated, and I find that the idea continues to grow. It has even got to the city. The Mayor can, of course, shield behind the assertion that he did not say that I refused, but he- left the inference so palpable. Proof of this is the fact that it is now a common topic. ■ “A man of Mr Bardsley’s standing refusing to pay his legitimate rates!" Those who know me over a period of years know of my honesty of purpose and integrity but, with the changing years there are many new residents in the waterfront suburb. I feel it necessary, therefore, to make a brief explanation to these and to those who supported my candidature, and shall be grateful if you will grant me space to do so. My friends, too, think tnat I should make a public explanation.

Consequent on large sums of money being expended on the roads, here, there, and everywhere, throughout, the district, while yet the long grass growth on the road immediately adjoining my property, and the luxurious gorse on the embankment opposite my property, were left untouched, month after month. I lodged an official complaint, the first and only official complaint that I have ever made over a residence of seventeen years.

I lodged my complaint when I paid my rates in December, 1936 (not January, as the Mayor says), and in consequence of the conditions I have mentioned I said that I made the payment, but with definite reluctance, because of the continued experience around my property.” This, under the Mayor’s signature, his been defined as “objected to paying his rates.” The irony of the position is that all that I asked to be done was carried out, and that quickly. Thus the Mayor and councillors recognised the justice of my complaint, and yet, a few hours before the election day, the Mayor throws out the innuendo I have quoted. At the declaration of the poll, in the presence of the Mayor, I expressed my disgust at the tactics he had adopted.

There are several general statements in the Mayor’s letter which could be easily exploded, but, meantime, I am only concerned with the personal aspect. Mr T. L. Stewart, in his letter in your issue of this morning, handles one seriously important subject. This brings us to another assertion which I can only describe as most unfair, and as I have said I got no chance to refute, before the poll. The Mayor said, in his letter: “. . . the Harbour Board was requested to cut the noxious weeds around the lagoon in front of the candidate’s residence.” He knew full well when he penned those words that the request to the board related to the whole of the board’s lands, from Ravensbourne to Sawyers’ Bay, a disstance of seven miles. It will be quickly recognised that the Mayor was perpetrating another ungallant insinuation. Here is further irony. This request was lodged by the council with the Harbour Board in 1928, or eight years before I • complained, and the council took no action whatever to compel the Harbour Board to carry out the work, although it only gave the board one month in which to do it. As a matter of fact, the gorse was removed several times from the front of my place during those eight years, but at my expense. *

I think that I have adduced sufficient evidence to show that the Mayor has ignored the first principles of British fair play and that I am not as black as I am being painted. If any anonymous letters arise out of this letter. Sir, I shall ignore them. I have no time for this class of correspondents. —I am, etc., W. J. Bardslcy. St. Leonards, May 13.