The Southland Times. MONDAY, JULY 5, 1875.

Southland Times, Issue 2146, 5 July 1875, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JULY 5, 1875.

* The time has come for very plain speaking about Mr Lurasden and the " Town Hall Site Bill." We mean to make one or two charges against that gentleman which cannot be met by bluster, and which, if unanswered, will touch, and that not lightly, his character for public integrity. The matter has got beyond badinage. The public interest has been too far imperilled, and Mr Lumsden has compromised himself too deeply to allow of his riding off upon a jest. What we accuse him of is this — that while pretending to deliberate with his fellow-townsmen on a matter of com mon interest, and to accept the decision of the majority, he was secretly plotting to get that decision nullified. We charge him, further, with having misled the General Government and the Athenteum Committee into the belief that they could negotiate with one another regarding a piece of ground which all the while he was prepared to claim as the property of the Provincial Government. The transaction was going on under his e y es — every step of it was made [ public — and any man with Mr Lumaden's views, and having a spark of honesty, waß bound to give warning that parties were dealing with each other under misapprehension. Yet the resident member of the Provincial Executive stood by and saw the General Government pledge its faith in a bargain which he, in his official capacity, was scheming to overturn. More than this, he saw action taken in consequence of that agreement He let the Government commit itself to large expenditure and proceed with its buildings, without giving a hint that an indispensable condition of their erection could not be fulfilled. We con prove all this — indeed, it is patent to the whole community — and we challenge Mr Lumaden to contradict it if he can. So much for the initiatory steps of the plot. Now for the consummation. At a meeting of subscribers to the Athenroum it waa resolved by an overwhelming majority that the General Government's offer j of the Post Office corner should be accepted, in lieu of the back portion of the original Athemeum site. At a subsequent meeting of the citizens, presided over by the Mayor, this resolution was confirmed by a majority of 58 to 16. The desire of the people of Invercargill had thus j been fully and publicly proclaimed, i and Mr Lumsden, as their constitutional representative, was bound to respect their opinion. He was precluded by every law that prescribes the conduct of a representative from taking any action iv opposition to h.s constituents. But he had a crotchet in his head, and what was constitutional usage to him? He was too wily, indeed, to give warning of the treason he meditated. The session of the Provincial Council was allowed to pass almost entirely away, and Mr Lumsden made no sign. But just before the close, and when the last of the business was being perfunctorily got through, he sprang his mine. Taking advantage of his position as a member of the Government, and before remonstrance or explanation could be made, he hurried through the Council two Bills giving effect to his own will, and overturning at a stroke tb.2 deliberate resolves of his constituents. Now, we ask Mr Luinsdeo. again, whether he can impugn this as a fair account of his conduct as steward of the interests of Invercargill. If he replies by anything short of a denial of the chargeß we have so distinctly made, he will convict himself. Moreover, if he feels strong in his innocence, let him call his constituents together ! and take their judgment as between him and us. He dare not face those j who elected him, and we challenge him to ask a declaration of their con- , fidence, j

We might have let Mr Lumsden ! alone if two reasons for that, course had been enough. The field on which he haa hitherto exercised his petty tyranny will soon be in all likelihood clrsed ' agninst him and against all politicians of his class. If by any unlocked for chance, the existence should be prolonged of our petty parliaments until another election should be made, [it is very certain that Mr Lumsden I would not figure in the returns. He ' will never again represent a Southland constituency. But we cannot afford i to let him rest until t.ime disposes of him. He has done mischief that must be undone, and we have to bring him to light, with his deeds. Before closing, we wish to put our readers in possession of the grounds on which the General Government is to be justified in its agreement with! , the Athenaoum Committee. As far ] back as the 21st November last, the Superintendent telegraphed in the following terms : — " To the Mayor of Invercargill — " "Re Public Buildings. TSTo further information required. Ara not aware what is being done. Have telegrammed General Government on the subject, repeating my readiness to convey site to Queen when required. "James Macandeew." Now, in the name of common sense, we ask, What could have been the meaning of the word " site " here ? Could it have meant the number of square feet on which the Gorernment Buildings should have room to stand, leaving the balance to be put to any purpose that the irresponsible will of the Provincial Government might dictate ? Or, did it mean the whole reserve, so that the General Government might have it in its power to protect the amenity of its buildings ? On the former supposition Mr Brunton, as representing the Government, must have been supposed to act the superlatively silly part, in accepting the offer, of exposing his fine structure to have its very windows blocked up at the pleasure of a Provincial Secretary. Ib there to be nothing left to fair and liberal interpretation when gentlemen deal with one another ? An equitable consideration of all the circumstances of the case can settle this matter only in one way. We believe the Superintendent of Otago and his Provincial Secretary to be incapable, on reflection, of taking the mean advantage to which their subordinate has incited them. They will assuredly see that the silent assent to the practical interpretation of the compact, given by their representative, is binding on them as men of honor, and we shall have an indignant repudiation of the " Public Offices Bill" and " The Town Hall Site Bill," into which they were hurried by the indecent trickery of their colleague.