A STRANGE PROCEDURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10970, 26 January 1899, Page 4

A STRANGE PROCEDURE.

We understand that a writ has bee issued, or is about to be issued from the office of Mr. Brookfield, solicitor, directed to the persons holding the balance of the funds from the Military Tournament, prohibiting them from pay in ? over to the Queens Statue Committee, as they were directed to do. It is said that on the morning after the late meeting a cheque to hand over the money to the Statue Committee was signed by Messrs. Clemens and Miller, but it seems that Colonel Banks had left for Waikato without si-mint. The statement that the action has been taken at the instance of the Friendly Societies is, we are informed, quite erroneous. They have nothing to do with the matter. The writ has been issued at the instance of Mr. John McLeod. The money is claimed foi the Children's Hospital, but this must surely be merely ft pretext. The hospital has been built from othei funds, and the public subscribed to furnish the cots necessary. Nothing further is required, and indeed it was publicly intimated that no further donations could be received. The hospital will now be supported bv the Charitable Aid Hoard from their funds. The present proceeding is quite incomprehensible. We do not believe that it has any support from the public. Indeed, we are quite sure that the citizens of Auckland will view it with extreme disgust, and will Wonder what motives could have actuated those who are at the back of it. The Queen's Statue is now here, and has been erected on the site that it is to occupy. His Excellency the Governor has been asked to preside at the ceremony of unveiling, and has consented to do so. All these arrangements have been made on the understanding that the money from the tournament was to be made available. If these threatened proceedings go on we presume they will be countermanded.