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Otago Daily Times, Issue 5803, 24 September 1880, Page 2

Tills. KEITH EiMSAT, M Chairman of the Harbour Board, narrowly saved the Board from committing a moat unwise act in virtually forcing Pilot Louden on the Harbourmaster after he had seen fit to recommend his dismissal. The case was taken up by Mr Fish in the spirit of an advocate, and, with very questionable taste, imputations were caat by him on Captain Thomson's judgment on mere ex parle 'statements, apparently picked up from the " man in the street," about whom we occasionally hear a good deal. Fortunately the majority of the Board took a more sensible view, and the compromise eventually effected left Captain Thomson entirely free to act as he thinks best in the matter. ' We think the proper course would have been to simply dismiss the appeal, but we do not know that any harm is done by tempering justice with mercy, ao long aa the Harbourmaster's authority ia upheld, and no pressure is brought to bear upon him to act otherwise than in his judgment the public service requires. We have not the whole evidence before us; but judging by the Chairman's precis and the opinion of the majority—including a nautical authority like Captain Loo an—of its general character and bearing, we hold it ag proved that Pilot Louden waa guilty of insubordination, and that his insubordination might have been attended with serious consequences. We cannot agree that Pilot Paton's fault had so serious a complexion, though he, too, deserved grave censure. But another point cornea in in both cases after the dismissal, and that is, whether the general conduct and character of the person dismissed entitles him to some special consideration. We believe in Pilot Paton's case this waa so: whether it ia so in Pilot- Loudens case it is now for Captain Thomson to judge, and we have no doubt he will decide conscientiously in accordance with what he believes to be the claims of the pilot service, and irrespective of any personal feeling. Though Mr Fish, in his overzealoua advocacy, has done what he can to put Captain Thomson's " back up," we believe that gentleman will dismiss all such conaiderationa from hie mind, ac well on the other aide aa from any regard for the consequences of offending Mr Fish, and will decide solely on the merits of the case.