AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 142, 26 June 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

WELLINGTON MILITARY SCANDAL NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. [Special to Times.] Auckland, last night.

The Post, according to a special wiro received, is energetically working up the public opinion against Colonel PoloPeuton. In ono column it reproduces articles published in country journals, and in its own leading article last night, commenting on the 11 scandalous speech " of the Commandant to the volunteers, says : 11 Theso men ho paraded on Friday morning for the purpose of using language towards some of their number that in private life ho would not liavo dared to use to the man in the street without the risk of personal assault. Why then should the volunteers of the colony bo compelled to suffer such an indignity in silence and without protest- ? A democratic and educated peoplo cannot, and will not, submit to methods that liavo hitherto governed the British Army. Colonel Penton from the time of his assuming command of the colonial forces until this day has failed to appreciate or understand the character of the people ho was called upon to serve, much less to adapt himself to their needs hero. Though at the antipodes, with all our democracy, we still permit our country to be made the happy hunting ground of an Imperial military caste that first of all makes itself precious to society, and after condescends to misunderstand and mismanage the volunteers it commands. The time has come to end this continuous farce, and in its stead the country should insist upon the headquarters staff knowing its work and serve the country first as other responsible public servants do, and give itself to social functions, to polo, to the racecourse and the rest afterwards, and plain khaki should bo the only wear for the commaudant, staff, and private.” The article is unjust in some places, inasmuch as it involves the whole staff in its strictures without offering any opinion on Colonel Polo-Penton’s case, which, I hear, will soon be sub judice. It must be admitted that Major Owen and Major Maddocks are very efficient officers, and are popular with the members of the volunteer forces. A LIVELY MEETING.

Some uncomplimentary remarks were exchanged at the meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday by Messrs Warren and A. P. Friend, two members of the Board, when the question of the Hospital medical superintendent was under discussion. Mr Warren was speaking on the subject of the hospital staff', and was referring to Dr Inglis and the management of the hospital, when he observed Friend smiling, and. as he said, winking at his remarks. Mr Warren exclaimed excitedly, “ What arc you laughing at me for, sir ? If you laugh at me I’ll knock the skin off your face. I may not have had the mercantile training that you have had, but I’m no fool 1 ” Mr Friend said, “I’ll not allow anyone to speak to me like that, and I’ll tell you this, I’ll laugh at you as much as I like.” The Chairman (Mr Bruce) here interposed, and Mr Friend explained that he was smiling at the idea of Mr Warren saying that the Board had attacked Dr Inglis. Ho would not bo spoken to like that by Mr Warren. “Why,” said he, “should I be sneered at by Mr Warren in a guttersnipe, Irish way ? ” Mr Warren : “ Now, keep quiet, sir.” The Chairman again interposed, and the belligerents subsided and confined themselves to glaring at each other from the opposite sides of the Board table. RETURNING GISBORNITES. The last lot of the Gisborne natives returned by the Huddart-Parker Company’s steamer, Elingamite, for Gisborne to-day. Wi Pere, M.H.R., remains at Rotorua for a month. SPORTING. The Gisborne-owned Hairtrigger was taken to Napier on Saturday last to fulfil his engagements in that place. As the Moura had a very rough trip down the coast the son of Crackshot is not likely to appear at his best, as a good deal was taken" out of him in tho races he ran at Elletslie. I understand that Mr Oman, of Gisborne, has purchased the Auckland mare St Elmo, and intends using her for breeding purposes. Considerable interest is being taken here in the Hawke’s Bay meeting, which opens to-morrow. Waitio appears to me to be well in the Trial Steeplechase, and whatever beats him should win. Lady’s Link and Jadoo read well for the Winter Handicap, and should run into places. Coour de Lion and Moifaa should fight out the finish in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, and, if the top-weights arc displaced, it will probably be by Roller, who, I understand, is in fairly good nick at present. K Jam should run well in the Hunt Club Steoplechase, and'Stoekadc in the Trial Hurdles. Of the twelve accepted for the June Handicap, I like Jadoo and Daphne in the order named.