The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 449, 6 October 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1877.

Mathew Homes, a man who has been pitchforked into a position for which he was never intended by nature, and which entitles him to the euphonious prefix of " Honourable," has incurred the displeasure of true Oaniaruviaus bj r what they view as traitorous conduct in opposing the passing of the Oamavu Reserves Bill. Everybody is asking the question—What motive can have actuated him in acting obstructively towards a measure that everyone else who knows anything at all of the circumstances views with so much favour] We don't know. He miy not be endowed with the faculty of reasoning as other men are, in which case these who hoisted him upon the pinnacle from which he condescends, with notions of his own importance somewhat akin to those of the conceited frog in the fable, to even oppose Oamaru's progress, are to be blamed more than the honourable gentleman Hmself. It has been said that the people of Oamaru have demeaned themselves vei'y rudely towards this Colonial lord ; that they have not acted towards him with becoming deference. We sincerely hope that this is not trne. But this is not all. We have been informed that some time since, when the honourable gentleman desired to return home from Wellington, whither lie had been for the purpose of assisting in the government of the country, he felt it necessary to pray that the police authorities would supply him with a bodyguard, in order that, on landing at Oamaru, he might be protecti d from the infuriated inhabitants of that town, and this because he refused to act towards i Oamaru in a manner that it was genei'ally believed would be productive of her benefit. This is shocking. Of course, unkind people will say that the honorable gentleman is now endeavouring to be equal with his persecutors —with these who have not properly recognised his wealth and position, and bowed the head and bent the knee. But let such analyse the honorable gentleman's remarks, and they will discover that he has opposed the passage of the Bill upon principle. Ha abominates a " grasping spirit." No man more so. We believe that he is celebrated for his liberality, which has enabled him to accumulate vast possessions here t'A there throughout the Colony, and by liberality he swears. If any person asks him for a donation towards the Hospital or any other charity, although he is in a position to give hundreds of pounds, he doesn't do so, because it would encourage a "grasping spirit." Therefore, it will be seen that he keeps his benevolence and generosity in subordination to principle.

How few can boa3t of such high-minded-ness in Oamaru 1 How few, indeed, that can.eyejfi properly appreciate the motives that guide the Honorable Mathi/w Holmes in his treatment of all matters with which he has to do. Certainly not the people of Oamaru, for they are calling a monster meeting for Monday night at the Volunteer Hall, for the purpose of expressing their disapproval of the action of the Hon. Mathew, and somehow, we have an idea that those who have not been educated up to the hiydi standard that would enable them to view questions in the same lofty aspect as the honorable gentleman, will not mince matters on that occasion. They seem to have an idea that their offer to t'.ie Governmentment was a fair one, and that in justice not only to the town of Oamaru, but to the district, it should have been accepted. We scarcely l : ke to differ with the Honorable Mathew Holmes—we were very nearly writing C.M.G.—but for the life of us we cannot see that the offer of the Municipal Council to make an exchange with the Government was unfair. The Council's proposal was somewhat to this effect:— The Government has a larga reserve in Thames-street, consisting of upwards of two acres, at present being used a 1" a paddock in which to graza horses. Seeing that it is situated in the most important portion of the street, and that its presence would effectually baf&j all attempts to make Thames-street what it otherwise would be—one of the most magnificent business thoroughfares in the Colony—the Council made an offjr to the Government to give them in exchange propert}' of equal value, and to build a gaol at a cost of some LSOOO on the Garden Reserve, which, of itself, would more than pay the price set upon the Thames-street Reserve, even by the lion. Math>.."w Holmes. Not only would the Government gain by such an arrangement, but so would Oamaru. The Government would be possessed of a cotni inodions gaol in a suitable position, contiguous to the Council's quarries, instead of the. present inconvenient structure, which necessitates sending to Dtiuediu prisoners that should be kept here ; and they would still retain the allotment, upon which the Court-house is situated. Supposing that Oamaru already has large endowments, as stated by the Hon. Mathew Holmes, such reserves are properly utilised for the public good, and there can surely be no reasonable objection to an exchange which would be mutually beneficial. The matter was supposed to have been satisfactorily arranged, no one dreaming for a moment that the Bill would be thrown out in the Upper House, and the income which would accrue from leasing the reserves that would thus be acquired has already been hypothecated for the purpose of paying the interest on the amount necessary to enable a much-needed water supply to be obtained for Oamaru. That the people of Oamaru feel very strongly upon the subject will be seen from the petition to the Mayor, which appears in another column. Were it not for the existence of the law of libel, we fear that we would have incurred the sore displeasure of the gentleman who is acting, to our mind, so unreasonably. We would have felt gratified if, by any means, he could have been made aware of the kindly expressions which have been used towards him during the day ; but these we are debarred from publishing, and will just be content with adding that we hope a guard of honour will meet him on his return from Wellington, and that he will be marched up to the township to the inspiring strains of suitable music.