GERALDINE AFFAIRS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19960, 19 November 1934, Page 12

GERALDINE AFFAIRS

To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald ” Sir, —The contemptuous, “I had completely ignored the correspondence which has been published in ‘The Herald’ on the subject,” with which the Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald) passes over those who troubled to write on Geraldine affairs—especially in connection with the Duke’s visit—has inspired me to pen a few more lines to “The Herald.” None of the letters was written in an antagonistic spirit, and it is hard to understand Mr Macdonald’s attitude. Surely the letters provided additional ammunition in connection with his endeavours to have the Duke visit Geraldine. It would almost appear from your report on Friday that Mr Macdonald was most anxious lest anyone should think any credit was due to other people in the efforts that were made to have the Duke visit Geraldine, and he would have us believe, that despite Councillor Lack’s statement that, “Mr Macdonald has done everything short of going to Wellington to ensure a stop at Geraldine,” Mr Burnett’s telegram was merely a reply to “representations of several months ago”—a letter written on July 6. I am sure that if Councillor Lack’s statement is correct, the public appreciate the Mayor’s efforts, but he forgets that he did not keep the public informed of his actions, made no report of them at Council meetings, and, even on receipt of Mr Burnett’s telegram on November 8, failed to release the information to the public (whom he must have known were keenly interested in what was being done in the matter) until the Council meeting on November 14. They will also appreciate Mr Burnett’s energetic activities in Wellington in this direction, for it is clear from your report on Saturday that he left no stone unturned in his endeavours to arrange the visit. It is obvious that if the Council had not committed the faux pas of writing to a harassed Prime Minister in the first place, instead of asking their local M.P. to take up the matter with the Minister of Internal Affairs, it is possible that Geraldine would have been included in the first itinerary and much bother would have been saved. The information contained in your report of Mr Burnett’s remarks is also revealing. Mr Burnett commended the “Herald” correspondence and editorial as “timely,” and it is obvious that he reads his local paper and keeps himself abreast of happenings in the district. Not so Mr Macdonald—any discussion by residents of Geraldine affairs in your columns is only fit to be ignored and treated with contempt. I make no apology for having written my letter urging more strenuous endeavours to have the Duke visit the town, ar 1 I thank those correspondents who supported me, although shy of adding their names, as well as the many who congratulated me and said they would have written themselves had they not found difficulty In articulating their views. I am sure that all those who did their little bit by writing to your column will care little for the pros and cons of who was responsible for urging the Duke to visit the town—their reward will be the pleasure the visit will bring, especially to the children. Most local people will sympathise with Mr Burnett’s views about overstraining the Duke. Geraldine should make it clear that they desire to give no formal welcome. If it could be arranged for the Duke to “inspect” a “guard of honour” of children in the beautiful surroundings of the Small Park, it would be following out the King’s wishes that the Prince see as many children as possible. From reports in Australian papers, the Duke’s Informal visits in Australia were the happiest. Despite the Mayoral aloofness in regard to those who do their little Dit for Geraldine by penning their humble views to your columns, it is obvious that one letter, combined with Councillor A. J. Bell’s strenuous support, was responsible for the Council interesting itself in a grave act of vandalism in the Native Bush Reserve. Councillor Bell stated that after reading the letter he visited the bush and inspected the damage. The Mayor, who ignores correspondence on Geraldine affairs reiterated during the Council discussion that he was not aware of the happening—and that, fully a month after the fact was drawn attention to in your correspondence columns! —I am, etc., DOUGLAS C. McKECHNIE. Geraldine, November 17.