THE FORLORN HOPE

Marlborough Express, Volume XXI, Issue 208, 23 September 1885, Page 2

THE FORLORN HOPE

Ix what capacity Mr George.Henderson has gono over to Wellington, interview the Government and induce thorn to alter their decision on tho Hospital question, is, of ciuho, bast known to himself. But it should be distinctly understood that if he haa gone to poso m the Empire City as Mayor of Blenheim, ho has dono so without the authority of the Borough Counoil, and contiary to the wishes— we have good reason for saying— of a majority of the Councillors. As for the burgesses — though m the eyes of Mr Henderson and his brother malcontents they probably count for little —an overwhelming majority is m favor of. tha Amerefoote site, and is justly indignant at tho continued obstacles which Mr Henderson and his friends aro putting m the way of building tho hospital and obtaining tho grant. Mr Joseph Ward has gone to Wellington m the dual capacity of Chairman of the Hospital C'omtnitteo and Chairman of the Wairau Road Board. In the former position lie naturally feela aggriovod at hia peculiar opinions being ao unceremoniously set on one side by the Government. On this score he will get little sympathy Bhewn to him m Wellington. As Chairman of the Road Board he represents a body whioh tried to escape contributing to the building funds of tho Hospital, upon grounds unconnected with the Bite dispute. As the Ministry are well aware of this faot, Mr Ward will carry no weight m hia socond capacity, and ho will probably be told that what ho

and his Kuril rofiisocl to lo do grace- ] fully and voluntarily under tho esisling ordor of things they will bo forced to rlo hy tho nmv Act, whothor thoy likn if.' or not. i\fr Charlns Redwiiod and Mr .To3eph Up.1woo:1 luva _Uo gosia ovor to \Vdlltn»f<m, as Chairman of thn Onuka and Spring Oi-eak Rial Burd*; hut m neither ewe doB3 ths C'li-iirmin spaak the wishes of a mijority of the I'oard. Mr Hunderaon and his three travelling companions — volunteers for a forlorn hope — may be, as our contemporary describes them, " leading men iv the community," but they are not m any sense representative men m this Hospital business. It cannot be too strongly pointed out that public feeling all over the Wairau is strongly m favour of the Amerafoorfc site, and that it will be the height of audacity and misrepresentation to put the caso before the ffovernment m any othor light.