RECOLLECTIONS

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 25, Issue 39, 22 May 1914, Page 5

RECOLLECTIONS

TO THE EDITOR. Sjr, You give some recollections of an “ Old Identity.” By your permission I will give you my recollections of an 'election when Mr Levien was an unsuccessful candidate. There was to be an election for a member for the Linkwater Sub-division of the Pelorus Road Board, probably in the days of the early eighties. There were two aspirants—Mr G- L. Levien and Mr A. Hyde—and ’ neither were elected. In those days there was no building in which to conduct these meetings, and Mr H. Firth wae.then secretary to the Board and was to act .as Returning Officer. It was a fine day and Mr Firth, having decided to bold the meeting in the road opposite Mr Bryant’s, took a seat on the top of a big straining post at the corner of the Education Reserve, and Mr Hyde sat on another post that did duty as a gate post as well. Ten feet away the rank »nd file etood around. Before receiving nominations Mr Firth said if any ratepayers were ready to pay their rates he would receive them. At this time only one man (Mr Hyde) had paid, and another duly tendered his at the meeting. Mr Levien bad been to the Board’s office and paid two small amounts to secure a proposer and seconder. The necessary formalities of the meeting having being got through, the Returning Officersaid he was prepared to accept nominations. There was a long pause and then Mr Hyde broke the silence. “Mr Chairman,” he said, “ I beg to propose myself as a fit and proper person to represent the district on the Board ” The chairman made a note of this and then ensured another very long pause. “Mr chairman,” said Mr Hyde, “ as no one else will second my nomination I beg to second myself.” The chairman gave a broad smile. “ Oh, yon cannot do both, Mr Hyde.” Up to this time Mr Levien had no one to back him. Meanwhile thpre was very earnest talk going on in an undertone amongst those present, and then quite unexpectedly someone proposed Mr Wheadon (I believe it was one of those whose rates Mr Levein paid), and then Almost immediately the other said “ I will second it.” It was stated Mr Levien had a grudge against Messrs Brownlee and Co. and this was the way be was going to pay them out. It was at the time the Board and Mr Brownlee bad dealings ' over road matters in connection with the tramline. Those who knew Mr Levien can quite understand his feelings when he saw the two men whose rates be had paid propose and second another. Perhaps of all those present none, I will venture to say, was more surprised than Mr. Wheadon to find honour eo unexpectedly trust upon him in such a unique manner, for it must be borne in mind that Mr Wheaden had not been approached previously. In fact I believe it was quite done on the spur of the moment—after no seeonder had been forthcoming for Mr Hyde—by one who, like myself, had not paid, whispering to one of Mr Levien’s men to propose Mr Wheadon, whose consent bad to be got afterwards.—l am, etc., Qmß OS' THOBB THAT SAW THE EON.