THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION SPECIAL MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 5969, 29 April 1882, Page 4

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION SPECIAL MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—From the result of Friday's meeting it is obvious that the Committee prefer the ignoble position of being condoned to that of manfully clearing themselves and the Institution under their charge. They well know the unsatisfactory state of the public mind in reference to this matter; yet they eagerly grasp at any shift which will save them—well, say the trouble of a thorough investigation. It is a matter for surprise that they should presume that a farce such as that played at Farley's Hall will be enough to satisfy the minds of hundreds of interested persons in Dunedin—that they should suppose a resolution said to have been passed by a bare majority of one i 3 an evidence that the subscribers are satisfied to leave the matter in their hands. If only fourteen out of twenty-seven voted confidence in them, and the other thirteen voted adverse thereto, my opinion is they cannot by any means regard their position as one of satisfaction; and as men of spirit they should either resign or then refuse to take the onus of making further inquiries, and demand of the subscribers an unhesitating direction in the matter. Even if the Committee do now take up the affair in a way which may restore confidence—as, of course, they are not, from what has been done, prevented from doing—they may yet see that the only course possible for the attainment of such an end is an application for a Royal Commission. Only one man had the temerity to affirm, at the meeting, that there was no need for the appointment of a Commission of inquiry; all the rest of the speakers urged at least the propriety of such a course. So that although the vote might seem to indicate that the meeting did not think a Royal Commission requisite, yet the speeches almost unanimously advocated this as the most satisfactory method, in fact as the only method by which evidence of a trustworthy character could be procured. Therefore the Committee, if they feel themselves fortified for the undertaking, can only carry out the expressed sentiment of the meeting by forwarding to His Excellency the Governor (a request for the appointment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. Mr H. J. Walter endeavored to make it appear that the Governor had no power, or could not be influenced to appoint such a commission. But Mr Walter should remember that the complexion of things has decidedly changed since then. The two petitions could not be prosecuted on the same basis, The first was

simply an account of matters which had strictly not gone beyond the jurisdiction of the Committee; but the second must be an account of matters which have formed an action in the Supreme Court, together with the recommendation of the jury endorsed by the Judge. Under such circumstances it is questionable whether the Governor dare decline an appointment so requested.—l am, etc., Amicus. Dunedin, April 29.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir,—Some one asks in last night's issue how the girl whose name has already been made too much of in connection with the recent miserable Hitchcock case could afford to go to the Melbourne Exhibition. This is very much in keeping with the whole calumny. I paid attention to the case and never heard it suggested that she had been to Melbourne. If persons would trouble to hear aright and get to understand matters thoroughly before using either tongue or pen, we should have fewer of those damaging scandals, which, I am sorry to say, are only too rife. As I understand it Mr Quin went to Melbourne, the girl never.—l am, etc. Quite Disinterested. Dunedin, April 29.