A CHALLENGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2358, 26 November 1908, Page 5

A CHALLENGE.

MR. HUTCHISON AND MR. REMINGTON.

THE LATTER A.SIvER TO FIGHT

AGAIN FOR HIS SEAT

[Puess Association.]

WANGANUI, Nov. 25

When Mr. Remington, candidate for Rangitikei, addressed the electors at East brook; a suburb of Wanganui, on the' Thursday before the firstballot, he attacked Mr. Geo. Hutchison for remarks that gentleman made when referring in the course of a speech to Mr. HaJ-l-Joncs and the High Coinmisskmership. He (Mr. Remington) spoke of the Bun Tuck scandal, and said he thought- that should have sufficed Mr. Hutchison. On the fallowing night-, Mr. Hutchison. when* addressing the electors at the Opera House, dramatically referred to Mr. Remington's criticisms •md concluded by reading a letter which showed that Mr. Remington had claimed and taken £2O as a reward for his efforts in obtaining for one of his constituents the removal of a restriction on a Native title.

Mr. Remington, speaking at Taihape on the night before the election, said if his committee was willing ho (Mr. Remington) was quite willing, if Mr. Hutchison would put down £7-5 for the election expenses, to give him a chance of seeing who stood best with the electors'of Rangitikei. Mr. Hutchison to-day wrote as follows to Mr. Remington: “Referring to your challenge that, if I would put down £75 for election expenses, you would give me a chance of seeing who stood best with the electors of Rangitikei, I now accept the challenge. I am prepared to lodge the amount stated with any hank or responsible person you may name, to lie handed over to you unconditionally on your resignation, and I pledge myself to contest the election with you. Unless this acceptance ho acted upon you will sit. -in Parliament as a. member branded with the charge of having claimed ami been paid money for performing services in connection with your position as a member. You have recently been elected for the Rangitikei district, but. the disclosures which led to your challenge were so recently made -public that the electors have not- had the opportunity of nidging -as to your true character, and in such circumstances it would appear to he desirable (as even suggested hv yourself) that they should have another opportunity of saying whether they will remain under such a disgrace as implied by your eontinning their-representative. I shall expect- your answer in a few days, and as your challenge appeared in the newspapers of the district, I claim the right of 'publishing this acceptance of it. —(Signed) George Hutchison.”