Correspondence.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4165, 26 August 1881, Page 3

Correspondence.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. TO THH EDITOB OJT THH STAB.

Sib,— Kindly allow me space in your columns to reply to the mis-statements made in the letters signed " Batepayer " and "An Anti-Binger," which appeared in your issues of Auguat 24 and 25 respectively. In the first place, I may state that I have never been informed by any person who signed the requisition to me that it waa done under the impression that I was a candidate for any other Ward than the South-east Wttrd, in which I reside, and where my interest lies.

My motive in coming forward was Bolely for the purpose of complying with an influential requisition asking me to do so, frith the object of seeing that the interests of the South-east Ward were properly looked after. I wish to give my distinct denial to the many misrepresentations which have been made by " Batepayer," " An Antißinger," and others, to the effect that I was a Tramway Company's candidate. I have not, and never had, any interest whatsoever in the Tramway Company, and, as a matter of fact, have never yet travelled in any of its tram-cars, nor has any person ever suggested to me that I should represent its interests in the City Council. I was perfectly free and independent to follow my own judgment, which, had I been elected, would have been exercised in the interests of the Burgesses only. I may state for " Eatepayer's " enlightenment that I was not; a member of the City Council when the concessions to the Tram* way were made, and therefore am not responsible for the trouble and dissatisfaction of which he complains. In proof of this I have made the following extracts from the minute book of the proceedings of the City Council, whioh is open for inspection by any burgess during office hours : — Extract No. 1. July 8, 1878. " Moved by Councillor Jameson, seconded by Councillor Buddenklau — 'That his Worship the Mayor be authorised to sign and affix the seal of the Corporation to the deed of consent to the Order in-Council applied for by the Tramway Company, and laid on the table by the City Solicitor.'— Carried."

" The deed was accordingly signed and the seal affixed in the presence of the Council and witnessed by the Town Clerk and the City Solicitor."

Notb. — The Council at that date consisted of the following gentlemen, namely : — Mayor Henry Thompson, Councillors Briggs, Bird, Bickerton, Buddenklau, Jameson, Toomer, Kftdcliffe, lok and Pratt.

Extract No. 2.

Maroh 25, 1878.

"Moved by Councillor Jameson, and seconded by Councillor Briggs— 'That the Council approves and adopts th» conditions as stated as a baßis for an agreement between the Council and Company.' . . . The resolution was put and carried." Now, Sir, aa I was not elected a member of the City Council until October 8, 1878 (»übsequent to the above concessions being made to the Tramway Company), any dissatisfaction arising out of the above proceedings cannot be laid to my charge, as Batepayer has attempted to do: so much for Batepayer'* remarkable veracity.

The insinuations contained in the latter part of letter are so absurd and contemptible as to be undeserving of any further comment.

I may. state that I entirely reprobate the random assertions made by unprincipled writers for the purpose of casting aspersions on one candidate with the idea of benefiting another ; on the contrary, I consider that all honourable means should be employed to induce and encourage good and reliable candidates to come forward to represent the interests of the different Wards in the City Council, the merits of the various candidates should be left to the decision of their fellow burgesses, as provided for by the ballot on the day of elections; and until the principle is recognised by the burgesses it will be impossible for suitable men to offer their services for the proper conduct of municipal matters without having improper motives imputed lo them, when seeking the suffrages of the burgesses. Sir, having withdrawn my candidature, and being averse to being drawn into a newspaper controversy, I shall decline to answer any more anonymous assertions of whatever kind.

Mr Hulbert and Wb friends having complained bitterly of the strong opposition brought against him when there were two others in the field, should now feel satisfied at my deciding, in a spirit of English fairness, to withdraw from the contest, thus allowing Mr Hulbert to contest the election on equal terms with Mr Manning. Apologising for the necessity of troubling you in this matter.— lam, &c,

F. JENKINS,

Lower High street, Christchuroh, August 20, 1881,

THE SOUTH-EAST WARD, TO THK BDITOB Of CHM STAB.

Sib, — Your patience, and that of your numerous readers, must have been put in some measure to the test to accomplish the fe»t of reading "Ratepayer's" wild effusion ; in point of fact, I doubt very much but few.moro than scanned it, unless like myself a little intemted.

However, as " Eatepayer " seems so terribly hot on the subjeot, I shall endeavour to give him a cooling draught, and then reply as briefly as possible.

In the first place I wish "Ratepayer" to thoroughly understand I have no personal interest or gain in the defeat of his candidate, nor shall I lose anything by his return, neither do I lend myself to fire the bullets made by the hands of others.

The paragraph marked second requirea little or no comment, as overy sensible man will havo ero this given credit to it only to the extent of its value One would imagine that " Ratepayers " brains wore in his elbows.

In reply to paragraph third. " Ratepayer " displays consummate ignorance of the importance of his candidate. The idea of comparing a Councillor with one's servant. It's monstrous in the extreme. I should have thought " Batepayer " had a better knowledge of the social scale.

Councillors aro not chosen (at least not in Chrigtchurch) in the same manner as we engage a eervant ; and if they were, it does not follow that it is neces߻ry to keep them for so long as they may choose to hold their position. I siy we have a perfeot right to introduce at every opportunity men who are calculated to further the interests of the community.

I suppose 0. H. will not remain in the Council one day longer than it suits him so to do ; therefore, as we have no claim upon his services longer than ho is willing to serve, he or hia friends have no right to question the introduction of new blood.

"Batepayer" will, lam sure, give me or anyone else some credit for watching a Councillor's career as well as himself.

Councillor H. no doubt deserves some credit for the manner in which he has carried with him the dignity of hio official position. But, sir, "Batepayer" Beems to forget a year or two ago. Good people were scarce, and as a natural consequence, we were obliged to return the best we could get. We are in a progressive age, therefore must keep pace with the times, and we have now at our command a man like Mr Manning, able and willing to take this position of trust, -whose knowledge of the requirements of this Ward and the City generally is not in the least doubted ; whose energy and good judgment are predominent features of his evnry day life, and whose courage and independence are only excelled by his activity. Now for. paragraph marked fourth. " Ratepayer" does me an injustice by calling my suggestion impudence. It was out of sympathy for Councillor H. Fearing the terrible blow of a defeat too much for his future happiness, I ventured to mark the best course for him to pursue. Ungrateful man ! But no matter. I suppose I must take it with the same spirit as the boy did the kick from the donkey.

In conclusion, I must again say there are doubtless good reasons for this desired change, and it is ridiculous for " Batepayers" to say the object sought iB not to get a seat for Mr Manning, but to oust Mr Hulbert. Another electioneering ruse. Mr Manning very sensibly presents himself as a candidate in the ward in whioh he is immediately interested, and he deserves great credit for the bold, independent manner in which he has taken his stand, likewise the gentlemanly manner in which he is contesting this seat ; and I hope that the ratepayers will testify to the worthiness of him by placing him at the head of the poll. Thanking you for the generous manner in which you have placed your columns at my disposal, — I am, &c, CITIZEN.

A WARNING TO WITNEBBBB. TO THB BDITOB O? THB STAB.

Sib, — Knowing the extensive circulation of your valuable paper among the working class, and your desire to expose their grievances, if you could find space in your paper I should like to state a few facts which occurred on the 22nd inst., and feel greatly obliged.

On that day another carpenter and myself were subpoenaed by the plaintiff to appear in an assault case — Hall v. Grant — at the Resident Magistrate's Court. We were in attendance at the Court from 11.30 a.m. till 1.15 p.m., thereby causing me to lose a day's work. When in the witness box, and before taking the oath, I asked the presiding J.P. who would pay my expenses. He answered me that I was " too late." After some discussion between him and myself, he told me that the Court would insist upon me giving my evidence, and I did to, hoping that I should get paid for my lobs of time. At the conclusion of the case, on applying for my expenses as witness, I was informed that the Court would not allow me any expenses, as my evidence was immaterial ; but the other man, who waa unemployed, was allowed sa.

Now, Sir, I should like to know by what law, or whether ifc is justice, for a person who has a paltry case to take to Court, to summon a man from his work, thereby earning him to lose his day's wage, without taking the trouble to find out. whether his evidenoe would be material or nob ? Even if my evidence had been material, I should only have received ss, half the amount I was out of pocket. Trusting this may be a warning to my fellow workmen, I am, &c,

A. WEBB,

Johnston street, Sydenham. AugUßt 25, 1881.