SIMSON-CROSSE CHALLENGE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 69, 6 March 1912, Page 4

SIMSON-CROSSE CHALLENGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —After reading such a medley of contradiction I agree with Mr.' Paul J. Murphy '“that it was' done ' by a simpleton from the bush ” The bone of contention is the amendment moved by the chairman, onded by Mr. Merntt, and carried, “That the only question to be referred to the Arbitrator was the chairman’s right to a cast “vote.” The conditions of the challenge were that the magistrate was to be the arbitrator, yet this gentleman is bold enough to’s«y “that had the committee directed him to approach Mr. S. E. McCarthy in respect of 1 such matter he would not have accepted such a direction,” or if he had been honest he would .have said he had not been cute enough when he allowed the amendment to be carried, which is evident through his action which has not' supported the good intention he had at the time. And yet he pleads for justice at the tribunal of public opinion! What reason was there for the committee to direct him, were not the conditions plain and simple ,and surely a chairman with So much intelligence would have known .-his, duty had it suited his purpose to have fokind out. There is no need for him to lose his temper and say that he is not being fairly treated in debating the manner in which he conducted the business. Even with his own words he condemns himself when ho says that he would not. accept the committee’s direction. This is not a dignified admission on the part of a chairman to make who is supposed to hold the scales of justice with an equal poise. But having told us what he is, we have got to make an allowance for the shade of the bush, and hope the bracing air of the plains, will take out some of the twist.—l am, etc., i J. B. E. HIRD.