“MAKING IT PLAIN”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 3

“MAKING IT PLAIN”

LETTER RESENTED MR. SEMPLE VENTS 1-’EELLNGS PICTURESQUE OUTBURST WESTPORT, Oct. 30. "I am not concerned about your municipal squabbles,” sdid the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), at the opening ol the Orawait! bridge. “You can scratch youi eyey out for all I care, but to accuse my colleague and me of burning benzine to come here to support the Mayoral candidate, as was done by a human reptile lying in the columns of a newspaper, is base ingratitude.” Mr. Semple made a strong attack on the writer of a letter in a local newspaper suggesting that the Ministerial visit was timed to give support to Mr. hohn Kilkenny in the contest for the Mayoralty, the poll for which will be taken on Tuesday. Mr. Kilkenny recently resigned, but was persuaded to allow himself to be nominated again. So far, no meetings have been held by either candidate. Mr. Semple also criticised the action of a local editor in publishing the letter. The first reference to the letter was made by Mr. D. J. Archer, chairman of the Buller County Council, who expressed appreciation of the work ol Mr. Semple for Buller. He said that it. was a “no man's land” until four years ago, since when wonderful progress had been made. He regretted e.xceedingly that some person or persons thought they weie doing something smart, by writing disparingly of Messrs. Semple and Webb. lie war certain that Buller would never make any progress if residents were divided among themselves. “I know* and Mr. Semple knows, that, the article does not express the opinion of many people in the district,” said Mr. Webb. ‘‘The great mess of people, irrespective of political opinions, realise that xve are out to do our best, for (he district, and it is a pity that minds as big as whitebails find their wax' into the papers. Mr. Semple knew nothing about the election until I told him. When 1 heard that. Mr. Kilkenny had resigned, I telegraphed asking him to reconsidei his decision, as I realised his value to the district. "So that, all minds shall be disabused, let me say I do not intend taking part in the election, as the people of Westport are sufficiently wise to send the man they want.” ‘Scurrilous Document.” The letter was described as a scurrilous document by Mr. Sample. it suggested, he said, that they were prepared 1.0 come to Westport, at. the country's expense to help in a municipal contest, between two individuals. He visited the town at the invitation