MAYOR ACCEPTS MR F. R. SMITH'S CHALLENGE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 378, 27 April 1915, Page 6

MAYOR ACCEPTS MR F. R. SMITH'S CHALLENGE.

To the Editor of;THE SUN... Sir,—Having now carefully read Mr Smith's letter and challenge I have much pleasure in accepting it. lam to prove that I was not present at a private meeting- at which committees Avere recommended. Mr Smith being the accuser, he should prove that I was there, but I will not quibble over this point. My reply is, I was not at the meeting in question, nor was I invited to attend. "Mr H.-D. Acland, who convened the meeting, authorised me to make the above statement. I enclose the names of three other councillors who were, present, and who declare that I was not present. (These names cannot be published as they are standing for re-election). Your correspondent is wrong in his statement that after the last municipal elections a private meet-, ing was held by the Mayor (Mr Holland). No committees were appointed' last year. He says not one Labour member was on any committee. There was not one committee without at least one Labour member on it; some had two. I now claim the £lO 10/- for the Charitable Aid Board, which will receive a Government subsidy of 24/- in the £, I also claim Mr Smith's apology to myself: and . my-.colleagues.—l am, etc., H. HOLLAND.

P.S. —Mr ]?. R. Smith's . inaccurate statements are on a par "with many circulated to try to damage my candidature. —IJ.-Hv ,