THE Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1869.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 177, 29 May 1869, Page 3

THE Marlborough Express.

SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1869.

“ Givk me tue liberty to know, to inter, ami torrgne' freely accor'lint,- to conscience, above all other liberties.’ Milton.

It is surprising how flippantly some persons can treat upon what must be regarded as a publics calamity. Such was the thought which occurred to us last Saturday upon taking up the Government organ. Our resders will not need reminding what took place in the Council on the Friday evening, since it was published, togeiher with an explanatory Resolution in our last. The jeering way in which the News reported the occurrence is so brief, and so unique, that we have no hesitation in giving it in full; — “ Council sat until an unusual hour last night, but were rudely disturbed by an intimation that. the provincial bank account was closed. We do> not know what could have led to such a dire catastrophe, but we have heard it hinted that^

the broadcast manner in which various amounts I were voted for what was called ‘ compensation ’ s may have had something to do with it.” —And this is all the consideration the subject deserves in an authoritative publication. That “ Compensation” had any connaction with the matter is sheer nonsense, as will be apparent to the most superficial observer, especially since in another part of the same paper it is shown that the total amount under that head was only £258, while the amount of the Appropriation Act was £2393; therefore the writer must have some other object to serve, which we shall pass over at present. What is of more importance just now is to tell how the contractors are to be paid who have already taken contracts under the appropriations passed by the Council, before the Bank took our money. We should like to know how the rotten bridges and impassable roads are to be dealt with now the means are gone. Where is even the Government printer to get his pay from, when every shilling the Province possessed is seized by one of its creditors, who has taken advantage of the rest, and as is asserted, in contravention of laws directly applicable to the case. Some explanation beyond what is contained in the motion passed by the Council is, however, necessary to understand the business, and, in order to supply it, we have omitted for the present a portion of the proceedings in order to compass our report of what occurred on Friday evening last when the circumstance was announced by the Provincial Treasurer. We may further refer them to the letter forwarded to the Banks by Mr. Stafford, the last clause of which applies to the event in question. Unless this money be recovered—as to which we may add that we have not the slightest doubt but it will be—we can scarcely expect another advance from the General Government, even to maintain the necessary works and services ; nor can we expect that the police officers, jailors,

persons who contract for prisoner’s rations, and all the 4 host of persons among whom it was intended this money should be divided, will continue to act unless they see a chance of payment. We await the result with some curiosity, since we presume Mr Stafford has by this time been made aware of the circumstance, and, in accordance with his circular, we can only expect that legal action will be taken without delay.