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Otago Daily Times, Issue 11957, 2 February 1901, Page 6

'he telegraphic correspondence between he Mayor of Dunedin and the Acting'remier on the subject of the billeting of lie Imperial troops who are about to >ay the city a visit, published by us this norning, discloses the fact that Mr Jhisholm must have had a rather trying irae during the last few days in his efforts to solve this vexed question. It s a subject on which there may quite 'easonably be two opinions held. There s something to be said both for and igainst the proposal. The Mayor and i number of intelligent people who have icted in concert with him believe that ;ho project can be quite easily given ;ffect to, and that the soldiers would jeenly appreciate the friendly and hospitable spirit that prompted the Mayor uitl citizens to invite them as guests luring their very short stay in the city. IVo have sufficient confidence in the Mayor and the local defence authorities, vho are acting in concert with him, to lelieve that they are quite capable of banning and regulating the. details of billeting the men, and that each will ind his temporary home under compe:ent guidance and without any difficulty rorth mentioning. We are pleased, ilierefore, that the Mayor lias stuck to lis guns and carried his point, and that >oth military and civic authorities nre working together cordially in their deire to smooth over all difficulties and arry the pleasant project to a successill issue. So much for their part of lie programme. But the final settlenent of the question does not rest either nth the Mayor or the Defence Office, fhe officer commanding the troops is, of :ourse, the person who must decide. He nay 011 arrival at the Bluff come to the ■onclusion when the proposal is subnited to him lhat he would not be jtistiied in allowing his men to be scattered n small parties all over the town and luburbs. If so, 110 harm will be clone, is Colonel Webb will in that event be irepared to provide the required accomnodation, or the troops can be taken to :he Britannic as proposed by the ActingPremier. So far as the citizens are con;erned they have shown a fine spirit of lospitalit-y in their prompt response to the appeal of the Mayor, and we are }uite sure that there will be ample appreciation of this by both officers and men of the gallant regiments whose acquaintance they are about to make. If their hospitality bo not accepted by Colonel Wyndham for his troops, they may rest assured that that gallant officer will have good reason for his decision. So far as we can see, however, there is 110 very strong reason why the troops should not be quartered as the Mayor proposes, and we shall be delighted to see the necessary consent given. If it. be, there can be little question our visitors will have no reason to regret it.