DESMOND ANNIHILATED.

Northern Advocate, 6 December 1890, Page 2

DESMOND ANNIHILATED.

Mv Desmond, who has figured rather largely iv Auckland during the strike period, has bad a fall from which lie will not easily recover. At Mr Adam Porter's meeting, after slanging the . Bank of New Zealand and capital generally in a very wild manner, he pro* duced the copy of a letter purported to have been sent to the Employers' Association of Auckland by the Hon E. Mitchelson. He roud it as follows : — "To F. G. Ewington, secretary ot the Employers Association, Auckland. Dear Sir, — Funds will bo forthcoming if required, but if possible men must be chosen are possessed of private means, ihat our resources may not be unduly strained. (Laughter). Would suggest McMillan (laughter) or Upton. No effort must be spared to win as everything depends thereon. (• Aha !' and ' Oh's !'). Tho labour party in this city are not to bo despised, for, although disheartened by their late defeat, yet there are some evil-disposed persona among tlicm who will cause trouble. (Hear, hoar). As to the committee I will see you personally. — I remain, dear sirMr Desmond here paused, and excited cries arose of ' Name, name !' and Mr Porter challenged him to put a name to the document. ' Tho name,' said Mr DESMOND, ' is Edwin Mitchelson.' This announce. nent created an extra* ordinary sensation, and the audience > burst forth into a great roar of cheers and groans, large numbers standing, up and frnnticully waving their bats. However, tho next day the Hon. E. Mitchelson and Mr Ewington published a sworn declaration in the " Star " to the effect that they had never seen such a document. Mr Mitchelson affirms:— "That I never wrote, nor signed, nor saw such letter, nor any other letter of a similar kind." And I, the said Frederick George Ewington, for myself declare — That I have also read the said report. That I never saw, heard of, nor received, the letter referred to by Mr Desmond, nor any other letter of a similar kind. And we, the said Edwin Mitohelson and Frederick George Ewington, jointly declare — That it is absolutely untrue that any such letter, alloged to have been written, was ever received, seen, or heard of, by the said Frederick George Ewington or Edwin Mitchelson. And we make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of • The Justices of the Peace Act, 1882.' " The "Star" which supports the Liberal candidates condemns Mr Desmond in the most severo terms.