LATE ''BREEZE " AT LAND BOARD ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 9651, 18 March 1893, Page 2

LATE ''BREEZE "AT LAND BOARD ENQUIRY.

MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS OF SOLICITORS. Wu«N the Land Boaid Enquiry opened at 11 o'clock to day (Saturday), Mr Barton, of Hawera, rose and addressed the Board. He said that he had a communication to make to tho Board with reference to the unpleasantness that had arisen between Mesers Smith and Kerr. He had been instrumental in bringing the two gentlemen together, and after mutual explanations tho two gentlemen found that the unpleasantness had arisen through a misunderstanding, and agreed to mutually apologise. He had reduced tho explanations to writing, and he would read the document to the Board. Mr Barton then read the following words : — "Now Plymouth, March 17, 1893. — Messrs William Kerr and O'Hara Smith having at Mr Barton's instance and press- [ ing suggestion mot and entered into mutual explanations upon the subject of MrSmith's [ telegram to tho Minister of Lands and the statements made on either side before the Land Board during the recent enquiry, a report of which appeared in the local papers, have come to an understanding upon the subject. Mr Smith wishes to express his sincere regret that ho should have imputed to Mr Ke.r nny dishonorable conduct, and more especially that he should havo imputed to Mr Kerr that he liirtl asbisted Mr Samuel upon the hearing of the informations against Heady and Pease jn the RM. Court Mr Kerr accepts this expression of regret, and after Mr Smith's _ explanation entirely acquits him of having malevolently made the imputations referred to. On the other hand Mr Kerr expresses his sincere regret for any offensive expressions made use of by him against Mr Smith, and more especially for having in the heat of the moment imputed personal untruthfulness to him. — C. O'Hara Smith, William Kerr." In conclusion, Mr Barton expressed the opinion that the termination of the disagreeable difference must be satisfactory to all concerned. Mr Samuel then rose, and said that he had not head of this mutual agreement until he hoard it read just now, but itw.e satisfactory for him to know tl>at such a course had been pursued. He did not for a moment think that Mr Smith's action was actuated by any vindictive or dishonorable feeling to hurt Mr Kerr, but was prompted by the feeling of duty. Ho again ex pressed gratification at tho happy termination of the difference between the two gentlemen. Mr Roy said that on tkc occasion o' the difference Mr Samuel bad roferred to him self in belted terms, and hinted tli&t he was trying to obtain the Crown Prosecutor ship. He denied tho accusation at the time, without going into details, but he now wished to disclaim any intention of ousting Mr Standish from the position he had so long and so worthily held. Mr Stand ib!) was ose of his best friends, and a gentleman for whom he held the highest esteem, and henoped that Mr Standish would live long to fulfil the duties which he had dipchargod so honorally and so well for so many years. Mr Samuel siid that he would withdraw the imputation he had made, but any injury that A'r Roy bad sustained was through his own weakness in not guiding Mr Smith in his action The discussion then ceased.