TAMMANY AGAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7189, 6 January 1902, Page 2

TAMMANY AGAIN.

It would appear, iE the information contaiucd in the telegram to the Lytleltou Times, in reference'to Lieut.-Colonel Davics declining to fake tke command of Hie Eighth Contingent, is founded od fact, as if political intlucncc Jiad again been made manifest in the selection of olliccrs for Hie Eiglii.ii Contingent; Wo have reasons to believe that Iho Colonel made it one of Ihe conditions of his acceptance of Hie position that lie should have a voice in. tin: selection of ollJeer:s. This the Premier agreed to, on condition that Major Owen, the acting commandant, was also consulted. Apparently satisfied with this assurance, Colonel JJaries went back to Auckland to make arrangements for his departure. It was then announced that as both Colonel Davie3 and Major Owen were away, no particulars were available as to the ollieers to be selected. But in a day or two, just before the Premier's departure for the wild solitudes of the "We.st Coast', telegrams were sent over the colony announcing the selection that had been made. It is very plain that political influence was too stronsi. and tint tin. Piuuili \\ i-> uinvillim; 10-iitii lice hi-> Timnuiij lilic methods ol lppoinim nt, e^en li hi. i m i iv, Lot liupciiLling tlio lnc iiid lid V)-> of Hil JOIIII.J follow1 lo the Lontiu''

suggested that Majors Owen or Smith should take tho command. Tho lastnamed is a joke in military circles, and very little else, so we can. only conclude Unit someone with ii ke.cu sense of humormade the proposal. In regard to Major Owen it is different, although we should hardly think he is the slump <ii' man for the work. A really good oliicial, kindly and considerate, lie is ol' very great use at headquarters, but. it would be like putting a pair of kid gloves on a pick-and-shovel man to send Major Oivcn in charge of a contingent of rough-riders. We doubt whether there is another man in the colony so well fitted for the task as Colonel Davies. and it will be a thousand pities, both for the sake of the men and the reputation of New Zealand, if he has been affronted to tin' extent conjectured.