CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2174, 25 April 1908, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence ou public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this journal ib in no way associated with tho opinions of its correspondent*.] THE -MAY O LI ALTA'. [To the Editor.] .Sir, —As illustrative of the recklessness and inaccuracy of Air, AV, D, Lysnar’s statements on tho platform at his recent meeting and upon other occasions we may take the following: (1) Mr. Lysnar claimed that lie had passed tho Gisborne Harbor Enabling Bill. Mr. Graham stated in the House, referring to Air. Lysnar in anything but complimentary terms, that the ‘Bill hail to be taken to someone who understood drafting, that tlie Bill had to he altered so materially that it was practically a new Bill, .and that several new clauses had to bo struck out, and most of tlio remainder amended beyond recognition. The Bill was ultimately passed after Air. Lysnar hail left AVellington. (2) Mr. Lysnar stated in his address that £200,000 had been spent in this district in prospecting lor oil. This is so obviouly ridiculous that it does nob -require refutation to convince any resident of Poverty Bay as to its absurdity. Can Air. Lysnar give reasonable proofs of even anything remotely approaching this sum having been spent here? (3) .Mr. Lysnar implied that Air. Harris and himself had been instrumeiitfil in preventing the Harbor rate from being levied this year, while as a matter of fact the Board could not havo levied it under the circumstances, as,it would have been illegal to do so, whether Air. Lysnar had been on the Board or not. ■ (1) Air. Lysnar stated that 'llis opponent’s relatives opposed the Enabling Bill, when :i6 a matter of fact they only opposed the inclusion of AVaiapu in the rating area. (5) l fis statement that lie did not oppose tho Roebuck Road bridge, and was in Wellington at tlio time, lias already been publicly met with a flat denial, and the minutes of tlie Borough Council prove tho statement untrue. (0) He alleged that the County Council was acting illegally in spending more than a certain proportion.of one riding’s rates in another, anil threatened them with Supremo Court proceedings, but on the Council obtaining an eminent legal opinion it was proved that they would have been 'acting illegally had they followed Air. Lysnar’s wishes. One could furnish similar illustrations ad infinitum, but these aro sufficient to display this candidate’s methods. Can any moderate fair-mind-ed man support one so intemperate and reckless? Can his supporters point to one local body o.n which Mr. Lysnar has sat, ivhpro he has been able to command a working majority, or on which lie has not raised perpetual turmoil?. A glance at tlio records of any of them, from the Temperance Reform League or Farmers’ Union to the County or Borough Councils, will show that they cannot. Is it reasonable ta suppose that this is invariably owing to the majority being wrong and Mr, Lysnai; being right? No man so didactic, dogmatic, reckless, and tactless caii be expected to preside over tlie Council with tlie impartiality and fairness always associated with the Mayor’s chair.—l am, etc., AV. LLSSANT CLAYTON.