The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6791, 20 November 1883, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883.

The statements of Messrs Clark and Green us to. what actually took place at the now famous meeting of the Lmd Board held on the Bth inst. to decide on the suspected dummy cases are 30 much at variance with those of the Chief Commissioner and Mr Duncan, and the points at issue are of such importance to the public and to the members of the Board themselves, that we think an attempt to get at the truth by a critical examination and comparison of the various statements may be serviceable. The method we have followed is, first, to gather up the various points on which the whole of the speakers were agreed, and from the undoubted facts so obtained to test the separate utterances of the various members on the points at which disagreement takes place—to see whether the statements in which the various speakers differed in their accounts dovetail and harmonise with the facts admitted by all, and we think it reasonable to suppose that the actual truth lies with the narrator whose narrative best harmonises with such facts, and

with tho obvious necessities of the

situation. Not that we think it necessary to believe, nor do we in fact believe, that any member of the Board ia guilty of wilful misrepresentation, but from the excitement which but too evidently attained generally at a very stormy meeting, the memories of at least some members of the Board appear to have been seriously affected. That which two members are as certain actually occurred as that they are alive, other members have at least no reco'l-

lection of, and even deny took place at all. To return, however, to the examination of the statements, and

to begin at the beginning. It appears to be admitted by all that a species of understanding, amounting to what we might call a compact, had been arrived at prior to the meeting that the deliberations of the Board with a view to coming to a decision should not be entered upon until the printed evidence was before the Board and in the hands of the members. It was believed that by putting on additional hands during the Tuesday night the evidence would be all ready by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the 8 th, the day fixed for the deliberative meeting of the Board. When the meeting however began on the Bth, aB a matter of fact, only 1G pages of the evidence was ready, which virtually, though not actually, contained all the evidence relating to Hkrtslet's and Borthwick's cases, but to these only. The first point considered by the Board was whether the deliberations of the Board should be be made in private or with the Press -and the public admitted. No formal resolution appears to have been put and carried or entered on the minutes, but a decision was come to, acted upon, and the reporters excluded. So far there is agreement. The statement of the Chief Commissioner as to what took place next is that Hertslet's and Borthwick's cases then •' came up, were taken seriatim, and were discussed very fully "; that Mr Green and Mr Clark were against cancelling the licenses ; that Messrs Stout, Bradshaw, and Duncan were ia favour of cancellation, and that he

(the Chairman) was against cancellation — that, he smilingly remarked, he would have to take a little time to consider how he should give his casting vote j but on Mr Stout taking his remark seriously, and remarking that he never heard of a chairman taking time in Buch a case, he then intimated that he would give his casting vote against cancellation, as he had already given his deliberative vote. That notwithstanding this, however, no resolution was before the Board, and no formal vote was taken. Now the first thing that strikes us as inconsistent in this narrative is this: Hertslet's and Borthwick's cases, the Chairman tells us, " came up " and

" were very fully discussed." The question naturally arises, How did these cases, and these alone, " come up" ] If no member of the Board definitely proposed to limit the discussion to these cases, and to decide them alone and separately, how and why did the Chairman permit an important discussion to take place upon a subject not properly and in business form before the Board 1 And why should he intimate that he would give his casting-vote as he had already given his deliberative one if there was no resolution to vote upon. Again, to anticipate a little when Mr Stout claimed his Btatutory right to have his dissent recorded, why should the Chairman have ruled that Mr Stout had not the right to record his dissent to the motion, as it had been negatived, if a motion had not actually been before the Board and had not been actually negatived? It is true that the Commissioner in his statement of what took place makes no mention of this truly awkward incident, but the fact remainsjthat Mr Green, in the presence of the Chief Commissioner, narrated this incident, was not contradicted or interrupted by him, and could scarcely be supposed to have drawn on his imagination for it. Turning to Mr Green's account, as given in his carefully-prepared written statement of what took place, we find it supplying all the puzzling necessities disclosed in the meagre statement of

the Chief Commissioner. According to Mr Green's account, Mr Stout first intimated that he was prepared to move that the whole of the licenses should be cancelled. He was then reminded of the agreement come to on the previous day—thab only those cases would be gone into in which the evidence was printed and available to members for reference—and Mr Green intimated that if Mr Stout moved such a resolution, be Mr (Green) would move an amendment deferring the whole matter. The other members having also expressed their opinion, Mr Stout made an ineffectual attempt to include

Biggins' case, and finally moved, "That tho licenses to Robert Borthwick of section 1, block IX (3848 a2r 2 } <), Silver Peak district; and Harry Neville Hkhtslet, of section 1, block VII (3802 a2r lOp), Waikouaiti dia trict, bo cancelled, and all rights of them and moneys paid by them as liconsees bo forfeited."

Such ia Mr Queen's account up to tlria point, and wo confess that we are unable to point out a weak place in hia narrative. One thing is perfectly certain, that a discusßion followed which was pertinent to such a motion, and to that only, and which cannot be reasonably accounted for on any other hypothesis than that such a motion was before tho meeting. That Mr Stout would, until defeated in hia purpose, attempt to move or intimate that ho was prepared to move a resolution cancelling the whole of the licenses ia lilost probable, from tho undoubted fact that hia mind was fully made up as to the propriety of such a course, and that be had a written speech prepared to support such a resolution, and that only. That he did not at that time move such a resolution is apparent from i s being admitted by overybody that the discussion which followed was confined to Hertslet's and Borthwick's cases alone, and that the majority of the Board was against considering, more than these cases on the principle of half a loaf being better than no bread. Again, it is admitted by all parties that Mr Stout was the first speaker when Hertslet's and Boethwick's cases " came up," and Mr Stout is too well acquainted with the conduct of business to make a speech demonstrating the justice and necessity of doing a certain judicial act without moving that that act bo done, particularly at a meeting specially called to decide what should be done.

So far as we have gone, we think it is apparent that a motion waa before the Board. The question now arises, How was it disposed of! Here comes in, we think, the first of the fatal series of irregularities which characterised the whole proceedings. Instead of the Chairman—before permitting members of the Board to speak to the motion— requiring that it should be seconded, he permitted the discussion to proceed, and each member of the Board to express his opinion upon it as it stood. No member of the Board alleges that the motion was even seconded, and we do not believe it ever was. That a decision, however, was come to by the Board by vote—a decision accepted as such by every member—is apparent from the fact that a particular point in their proceedings was reached at which it was proposed that the Press should be admittod. Now the question inevitably arises as to what this point or stage really was. The Board had previously "resolved to exclude the Press while deliberating, but to admit it when their decision was come to ; and in tho absence of any decision it is impossible to satisfactorily account for the discussion as to the admission of the Presa. It is true that the decision of the Board was even then not to admit the Press, but the ground of that decision evidently was the impolicy of jnaking the previous decision before the Board had determined all the cases. We believe, therefore, that—(l) a formal resolution was before the Board deaiing withHERTSLET's and Bo rth wick's cases only (a resolution whioh, however, was only a verbal one); (2) that a distinct decision of the Board was come to on that resolution, and that the confusion which afterwards arose is to be attributed to the fact that the decision of the Board was not there and then minuted. Mr Green's statement appears to us to be a substantially correct account of what must, from the necessities of the case, actually have happened. It is throughout definite, consistent, and reasonable, and would commend credence even if it stood alone. When, however, we bear in mind that it is supported in every particular by the testimony of Mr Clark, our conviction of its correctness is confirmed.

We shall await with interest MiStout's account of the meeting, and gladly make him a present of the foregoing analysis of the statements made up to date. It may possibly prove useful to him in exhibiting the Bpecific points which require explanation, on tho theory that no resolution was proposed and carried, and we trust that ho will accept it as a token of our good will that we have placed him in a position of such considerable advantage to deal with the matter.

When Hercules cut off one of the Hydra's heads, two üßed to grow in its place. If the late members of the late'Dunedin School Committee will look up the story, which can be found in Lempriere, they may take a hint as to how to revenge themselves on the Education Board. What if these same gentlemen became candidates for election to all five of the new committees? It is quite possible that they would be elected in each district, if they took enough trouble over it. In that case tha Board would find the last state of things considerably worse than the first.

The weather, which has been dealing very badly by us for the last six weeks, did not even spare the Mayoral nominations. Those who were present had reason to be grateful to Mr Spedding for saying bo little, though we fancy Mr Street's chances to ba slightly the better As for Mr Guthrie, we can only wish that his confident expectations will be realised. If we have advised him to retire it is only because we feel that to support his candidature would be "love's labour lost." Although his hope does not " scorn of fate its fate to ask," we fear that it "is itself its own sure destiny."

If the rain had done nothing worse than cut short the eloquence of our aspiring Mayors it would not much matter. But from all quarters there come reports of damage to crops and sheep, and property of all kinds. The flood which occurred in the North-East Valley would Beem to argue a want of proper precautions on someone's part.

Mr Archibald Forbes' article on Australasia in the " Nineteenth Century " is highly complimentary throughout. A cynic suggests that this is because Mr Forbes invested so largely in land hore, but it is ill looking such a gift horse in the mouth. We should rather say that Mr Forbes' investments are a proof of the sincerity of his praises.

With Mr Forbes' remarks as to the Fool's Paradise in which New Zealand is living in leaving its ports defenceless we thoroughly agree. Whatever may be the deficit next year, there must be no putting off of the Defence vote, nor paring down of any part of the scheme approved of by Sir William Jervois. The defence expenditure is merely a national insurance premium. Of course we have to take the same chance of our defences being overcome as of an insurance company breaking down. But as a wise man prefers to pay a little more to injure in a safe company ttian to pay a small premium to a risky one, so should we provide against all reasonable danger as estimated by competent authority.

There are many who cry out that the risk to be providod against is infinitesimal, that Russia, which is the Power most likely to ba at war with England, never made any attempt on our ports during the Crimean war, that our safety lies in our defencelessne3s, ar.d that defenoea merely provoke attacks which they will probably prove unable to rosist. So argues a contemporary, which is widely read boyond tho boundaries of the district in which it is published. We vonturo to think that the risk is very serious, and the danger much greator than that of a house catching fire. Russia did not attack Melbourne or Sydney in 1851, because her naval

authorities scarcely know of tha existence of these communities; because at that lirao our cities wore small, and little money was to be obtained of thorn; and because the Russian Pacific floet was Binall, and no cruisers of tho kind suitablo for a sudden doacent wero available. Now all those things have changed. At the time when a war with Russia was imminent in 1877, it was well known that sho had a numbor of swift cruisers fitted out on tho American Pacifio coast, and her Paoiflo floet is specially suited for such enterprises. There is Franco as well as Russia to be feared, and no one can say that the risk of England baing at war during the next 10 years iB Bmall. Tho idea that an enemy would spare us on account of our defsncolessness is too . ridiculous to need refutation. It is not fighting, but money which an enemy would want; and as our only fear is from a sudden attack by a cruiser, there is no reason why our defences should not be made adequate. It jb not as if wo had to fear a blockade or an attompt to retain possession of any of our Cities.

TliE appointment of Mr C. Y. O'Connor to tho Undor-secretaryahip of Public Works will give satisfaction both to the Department and to the public. Mr O'Connor's practical knowledge of tho working of the £>epartraont and of the feelings of the subordinate officials will stand him in good stead. The Government are to be congratulated.

The Mitchelson appointment has been discussed out, but in reply to the comments of the Auckland Herald, we may point out that it is neither Mr Mitchelson nor the people of Auckland whom we blame forsaking what the Government offera them, but the Government for offering it. It is probably quite true —as we have already been careful to acknowledge— that we should grumble if there were no Otago member in the Government, but that does not make the matter any better. The principle is radically wrong, and the fact that the public are so dobauched by it is tho more reason why the Government should make a stand against it.

The report of.the proceedings attho Dunedin Mayoral nomination yesterday, also cvf the Supremo and R.M. Courts, with letters to tho editor, will be found on our fourth page. His Worship the Mayor asks the citizens to observe a half-holiday on Thursday, the second day of the show. It is to be hoped the weather will take a speedy turn, else the exhibits will not come forward as anticipated. Messrs Suand, Elder, and Begg retire from the Education Board by rotation this year. They will probably be candidates for ,ruelection.

The girls Steadinan, reported as missing on Saturday and Sunday last, have returned to their homo at Greytown in safety. It appears that their unaccountable absence was due to the fact that they took shelter at a friend's house during the rainstorm, and that tho message sent to their parents miscarried. Several claims for compensation in connection with the Silverstream water supply have been considered from time to time by the City Council in Committee. ■ At the ordinary meeting last evening the Council, acting on the advice of the city solicitors, carried formal resolutions authorising the Mayor and town clerk to serve statutory notices upon the Fernhill Coal Company, Mr John Andrew, and Mr John Sidey, declining to entertain their claims. The wrongs suffered by Mr Allan at the hands of the Dunedin BowliDg and Fives Club are now things of the past, as the Club h;is taken efficient Bteps to confine stray balls within their legitimate area for the future. The fives court has been absolutely caged in by a screen of wire network over the top, and the only damage that can now result from too wild hitting is to the heads of the players below. Tho improvement has been effected at considerable expense, and may tend to the restoration of that good feeling which it is so desirable should exis,t between neighbours. In which case the money will not have been exponded in vain. From every point of view, however, it is to be regretted that the stabledoor was not locked before the steed was stolen.

A second death has resulted from the buggy accident which occurred during the flood at Pleasant River on Saturday evening, the owner of the trap and horses (Mr Foster), a resident of Pahnerston, having died yesterday afternoon from the effects of his immersion. The Timaru Herald states that Hobbs, who was drowned at the time of the accident, was well-known in Timaru and Ashburton, and that his mother anl several brothers reside in Timaru district. The steamer Doric has arrived at Home after a smart passage of only 42 days from Lyttelton. She has 8000 frozen sheep, which are in good condition. The cargo of the British King has now been all sold at a price all round of s£d per Ib. It will be remembered that an extra large quantity of meat was placed upon the market at the time of her arrival. The gas question again came before the City Council last evening, and several councillors expressed themselves strongly against the manner in which the ga3 department was being carried on. The report of the Committee was to the effect that further time was required for consideration and inspection before a definite report could bo presented on the subjects remitted to them. After discussion, however, the report was accepted, Mr A. Falconer, the manager of that excel, lent institution, the "Port Chalmers Seamen's Restj-" has received from the Secretary of the General Post-office, Wellington, an intimation that all the officers of the department in the Colony have been instructed to allow newspapers posted in the Colony to pass free if addressed to the manager of the Rest. This concession of the Postmaster-General will no doubt be very advantageous to the Rest, which is visited by seamen, immigrants, and strangers coming to the port, who avail themselves of the excellent library and comfortable rooms which are freely placed at their disposal. Mr IVJconer ia hopeful that persons favourable to the institution will forward him any newspapers they can spare. Intending country competitors at the forthcoming matches of the Otago Rifle Association will be pleased to learn that at a recent meeting of the Ladies' Challenge Shield Committee !t was decided to expunge the rule which provides for competitors appearing at the firing psint in the uniform of their respective corps. OwiDg to the satisfactory state of tho funds of this Committee it was decided to reduce the

entrance fee to 30s for each team,

Messrs J. Logan and J. Hyman, J.P.s, presided at the City Police Court yesterday and fined four persons for drunkenness. Mary Connelly was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on a charge of vagrancy, having been previously convicted, and Susan Aitken, for stealing a pair of boots from the shop of George Heath, was sentenced to 14 days' imprison* ment.

At the annual social gathering of the Young Men's Christian Association to be held to-night

the usual formalities of a soiree will be done away with, and a promenade tea substituted. This will undoubtedly give greater facilities for social intercourse, which is one of the chief objects of the Society. An excellent programme has been provided for the after meeting, consisting of addresses on " The Idea and Purposes of a Young Men's Christian Association," by Professor Salmond, D.D.;

'{Christianity and Culture," by Rev. J. Ryley ;

"The Christian Aspects of Business and Recreation," by James Fulton, Esq., M.H.R. and selections of sacred music.

At a public meeting hold at Fairlie Creek (Mackenzie County) the following resolution hag been carried :—" That our member be requested to urge upon the Government to open the Albury railway extension to Fairlie Creek without delay. The ballasting will be completed this week, and it is very necessary to have the line open for passengers and goods in

timo for the wool season. The line has been delayed beyond measure, notwithstanding the repeated promises of Ministers to have it opened in March last."

The Wanganui Chronicle says that a letter was received a few days ago from a Berlin firm of merchants, addressed to " The Lord Mayor of Wanganui," enclosing specimen chromo-

lithographic portraits of "members of the august English throne, taken from tho newest originals," and requesting the " Lord Mayor " to circulate the specimens amongst the officials and citizens dwelling in his Island, with a view to booking orders.

The Taranaki Herald says over 10,C00ac:es of bush land hasbeen cleared at the back of the Waimate Plains during the past season. The soil takes the grass well, and it is reckoned that it will take a bullock to the aero.

Sir George Grey's lecture upon tho question of governing the islands of the Western Pacific (says the Lyttelton Times) is disappointing. It contains some truths, many grand soutiments, und evidently much fine language. It is also curiously vague, self-contradictory, impracticable, and unconstitutional. If the report of his remarks i 3 to bo depended upon, Sir G. Groy does not seem to have many clear ideas about anything connocted with the Pacific question. He has, perhaps, but two:

One is that the Islanders, if left to develop thoir own dostinios, cannot but come to grief in the multitude of enemioa that Burround them; and in this he is in agreement with most people who know anything at all about tho subject; tbo other is that, if preperly governed and judiciously taken caro of, the Western Pacifio has a gloriouß future before it. This opinion is also not by any means singular, iiut iv what good government and judicious taking of cars are to consist, Sir George doos not tell us.

As n rule, the annual addresses of tlia successive presidents of the British Association have boon most interesting papers, oven to tho unlearned. This year's President gave an address which forms a most marked exception to the rule. This is how the Engineer deals with it: ->" Professor Oayley then delivered his inaugural address. Contrary to our usual custom, we reproduce this address neither id whole nor in part. It dealt from first, to last ftith transcendental mathematics, arid as it is as weli that tho truth should sometimes be spokon, we may say that it was as dry and uninteresting as it was possible for a man whose typo of beauty is the Fifth Book of Euclid to make it. It is as certain as anything can be that not 50 people who heard the address understood it, and not half of those enjoyed it. ... Professor Oayley is a profound mathematician first and a suitable man to address a British Association audience a long way afterwards. ' It is not the custom to condemn addresses such as that of Professor Cayley; but we think it well to depart from the custom."

Tho Press states that the Gulcher Company, through their agents, Messrs Miles and Co., made a Btart on Friday night with the lighting •f Lyttelton Harbour with their system. The Company's engineer, Mr H. S. Cederholm, put up two 2000-candle power arc lamps in the rigging of the steamship lonic, now lying, at No. 4 Jetty, and they proved a wonderful success, burning very steadily. Another lamp of equal power was fixed on the centre of the foatbridge which Bpiins the railway yard, the elevation of the lamp being 35ft. The effect of this lamp was loudly praised. The lamp was in an opal globe, through which the light was diffused with a beautifully soft brightness. The pencilling on the cards affixed to railwaywaggons, distant from 60 to 70 yards from the bridge, could be read with ease by tho aid of this single lamp. By a very simple contrivance fixed upon the engine-house by Mr Cederholm, each lamp can be Bhut off separately at a given moment when not further required, and thus a saving in the consumption of carbons is secured. The light was used from about 10 p.m. to past midnight on Friday, and from dusk to midnight on Saturday, with marked success on both occasions.

A visitor to Wellington (says a Northern paper), from the Dunstan Goldfiolds, which he had left to search for employment in the Armed Constabulary, was introduced to a new arrival of the opposite sex by the s.s, lonic. Her charms weie irresistible. It was literally a case of "love at first sight." The fair one began to lament her state of Bingle blessedness, and darkly hinted at the advantagos of wedded life. " I'll marry you if you like," promptly remarked the accommodating swain. "All right," she responded, and next morning tho happy lover called round at tho piace whore hia adored one waa employed in the humble but honest sphere of domestic service, to ascertain whether Bhe were " still of tho same mind." A reply being obtained in the affirmative, the young lady discarded her broom and slop-pails, and, with the assistance of acquaintances, who consented to become the necessary witnesses, tho loving pair were duly "hitched" at the Registry Office. Next day they proceeded on their honeymoon in a steamer bound for the South. Wehavonot heard whether they have yot commenced to throw tea things at one another.

The Mount Cargill Presbyterian station held its annual soiree on Wednesday last, in the schoolhouse. The attendance was large, the accommodation being strained to its utmost capacity. The tables were supplied by the families of the district through Mesdames Paisley, Macgregor, and Deans. Mr Reith, who has charge of the mission and the Sabbathschool, presided. Appropriate speeches were given by the Chairman, Rev. D. Borrie, and Mr Cruickshank. The music supplied by Mr Braik, of Snox Church, and 20 of his choir, was greatly appreciated. At this station there is a fortnightly Sunday service; which is largely attended, and a Sabbath-school, with an average attendance of 40—both conducted by Mr Reith with unfailing regularity.

The annual closing concert and distribution of prizes in connection with the St. Andrew's Church Ladies Literary Institute, Bible Class, and Young Men's Association took place last night in the ball below the church. Notwithstanding the wet evening the hall was well filled, and an excellent concert programme was gone through to the complete satisfaction of those present. The Rev. R. Waddnll presided. The Church choir sang several glees very creditably; and amung the other noticeable items wore aolos by Miss Mollison, Miss Grey, Mr Braik, Mr Rose, and Mr Ash; a duet by Mrs Reynolds and Mr Rose; and a pianoforte eolo by Miss Stracban. The presentation of prizes, an interesting ceremony, was made by the Chairman, who spoke in favourable terms of the ability shown by the young ladies in the papers done by them on the subjects for the session—viz., " Tennyson's Idylls of the King," and " Carlyle's Essay on Burns." In the Bible class Miss Black took first prize, and Bliss Gilkison second ; and in the ladies' literary class Miss F. Allan first> whilst for the second there were bracketed as equal—Misses Stamper, Forsyth, and O. Scott. The Hon. W. H. Reynolds moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and performers at the close.

Tho Court Minßtrals, though rather unfor* tunate in the matter of weather, continue their performances at the Princess Theatre, and so far they have baen rewarded with very good houses.

Messrs James Samson and Co. csntinue their sale ol household furniture at Mr C. S. Allon'a residence, near Botanical Gardens, to-day at noon.

'Jhe flist number of the New Zsaland Volunteer and Aimed Constabulary Service Gazette is to hand. It ia intended to be iaaued on or about the 17th ol each month, llcaera Ford and Co., of Christchurch, are the publishers.

Tho Rev. W. Morley, of Christchurch, will lecture in tho Wesloyaa Church to-morrow night on Dr Thomas Guthtio. ' -

He M. Pym will sell hcarthrusrs, &o. on Tuesday, 27ih ma!;.; also, on Fr:d>y, 23rd iiiflt, dinner aorvicea, &c.

Mr D. Reid and Co.'s sale of land at Mosglcl has been postponed till next Saturday.