A Minister's Morals.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1921, Page 3

A Minister's Morals.

X.S.W. ,)l i)(; K’S St AT II INC KKI’OHT. SYDNk’Y, July JO. Of all the scathing reports ever madt iiv a Hny.il Commissioner authorised n enquire into the conduct of a Aiinistei of the Crown and there have heel many such in this country that published the other day ” took the biscuit.” \\ . (i. Ashford was Minister foi Lands in the last National Government, under Mi' Holman. He is a very able young farmer, immensely popular with all who know him. Just about the end of the Holnuut regime Mine very gra < charges of maladministration were math concerning the Soldiers’ Settlement branch of the hands’ Department. Mi Justice Street made an en(|uirey under a Hoyal Commission. lie found that charges of the most serious character were proved against a young man named Hryniit, who was Director of tin P,ranch and Ashford’s right-hand man. The Judge found nothing very serious against Ashford, but lie remarked that Ashford and Hryant were married men. and it was suggested - that by their association together in a course of immoral conduct Hryant had secured an ascendancy over Ashtord which ho use<l improperly. Ills Honour commented severely on tin* fact that Ashford did nothing to rebut this suggestion. Ashford thereupon demanded that the eni|uiry he reopened so that lie might rt ply to the suggestion. 11 is friends begged him to let the sleeping dog lie. hut lie persisted. The evidence at* the second enquiry, sis throwing light into some of the amusements of the National Government', was startling. Details were given id’ Ashford’s alleged intrigue with a ten-room waitress. The Judge's second report did not spare Ashford in any particular. He pieced together the mass of evidence to form a circumstantial story of-he whole intrigue, and lie traces the career of the voting woman in the case from the time in Hilo when she was in certain trouble, until in 1!)1!> s hc went away to America. The intimacy between her and Ashford lasted through this period. Tit one section of his report the Judge says: - “ Cartel’s tea-rooms arc in the neighbourhood of Parliament House, and are, it is said, much frequented by members of Parliament. It is said, too, that s ome members are, or were, in the habit of inviting the. waitresses to Parliament House to listen to the proceedings. '.Having invited them there, they used also to offer them other hospitality. and to meet the lack of the neeessar.v accommodation in this respect, an obliging Minister of the Crown used to be found who would be willing to allow his private room to be turned temporilv into a. supper room. Mr Ashford vs one of these.”

Tin* Judge analyses tlio lengthy evince to show that Bryant’s aeknowIged mistress and Ashford’s lady were iso friends, lie sums up this way: 1. —T cannot accept Mr Ashford as a ndid and truthful witness. 2. He had not succeeded in rebutig the suggestion of immoral conduct ado against him. 3. —The additional facts load fairly to e conclusion that he and Bryant, his .hordinatc officer, were associated to--1 tiler in a course of immoral conduct. I. Tt is not improbable that Bryant d an improper ascendancy over him.

The killing of a right whale a few days ago by a harpoon fired from the whaler flananiii, of the Whaiitfamutnu Whaling Station, is an unusual occurrence, as these whales are rarely seen now in New Zealand waters. They were once very plentiful in the Tasman Sea and the Pacific. Ocean, between Chatlurm and Norfolk Islands, which was the chief cruising ground of whalers. An extensive whaling: industry was carried on, over 300 vessels, chiefly from America, hunting the whales every year. The industry began in 1795, and readied its height boj tween 1830 and 1810. Over 100 whalers called in at the Bay of Islands every year, and many other stations were established in New Zealand. The fierce pursuit, however, severely depleted Die ! numbers of whales, and at the present j day a right whale is rarely seen. The ! latest prize is said to he a fair speeij men, and of considerable value on ae- : count of its whalebone. Right whales ; belong to the baleen family which have j a sieve of whalebone set in the lower i jaw to strain off the water after hav- | ing detained a mouthful of fish. Each plate of bone weighs about 71b, and from a large whale it Is not unusual to obtain one and three-quarter tons of 1 whalebone of the finest quality. Recommended bv the medical profpssinn.— WO LEE’S SCI!NAPPS. WOLFE’S SCMN \PPS line cumulating effect on tbe whole system. | Koep the kiddies well. “ NAZOL ” is sure protection against coughs and colds. Sprinkle baby’s pillow. Older children can take it on sugar, For Coughs and Colds, never fails. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. That feverish feeling from cold in the head instantly relieved by “'NAZOL.” Splendid for clearing blocked passages in nose and throat.