Who Are "in the Soup" With Dean?

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 559, 14 September 1889, Page 17

Mr W. P. Aicken, of the Thames, is writing a series of letters to the Thames Advertiser on ; " Borough Ethics." .Referring to the late Town Clerk, Mr Aickin writes : — " Dean was generally regarded as an immoral man. For many years ifc was known he kept mistresses, and houses in Kirk wood-street, Scaley r street and Hape Road can be pointed out where they resided. .... A deaf, dumb, and blind man could not have lived in the community without knowing that Dean was setting all decency — and apparently morality — at defiance, much less could Cr. Renshaw. Now, I charge him with a dereliction of public duty, that he, the central pillar of the Baptist bethel, did by his silence and support abet and encourage Dean in his evil ways. . . And his fellow Councilors are no less responsible. There may ta donency without morality, but morality without deceincy is im*3 possible amongst white men. I think the rate-f; payers should reason thus .— If my neighbour ' act shamefully it ia to be regretted, but I am not ' responsible, as I cannot interfere ; he will probably injure himself by the evil reputation which he earns. But a public servant is to some extent mine. He should be an example to the community, and if he act so errossly as to shook the moral sease of the people, he should be dismissed ; I cannot be responsible for the morals of the officer, but I can protest against a functionary being retained who seems to glory in his shamp,. .Sir, I ask the Borough Councillors if ever any of. them requested Mr Dean to avoid the appearance of evil, so that the community should not be .coin- > pelled to regard him as setting a bad example ?" This is rather plain speaking, but, strange to ! say, none of the Borough Councillors have replied to Mr Aicken.

The Otago Daily Times has been urged by several members of Parliament to publish their speeches in full. This request the Times cannot see its way to comply with, but generously offers to print and publish them at members' own expense.