THE SOUTHLAND RAILWAY SCANDAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 138, 21 October 1868, Page 3

THE SOUTHLAND RAILWAY SCANDAL.

(From the Southland Weekly News.) Who opened the Tenders ? has been for the past few days the pet phrase of citizens, members of the Provincial Council, and 'men about town.' The catchword, it is almost needless to say, referred to the recent disolo-ures respecting an alleged tampering with the tenders for tho completion of the Oreti Railwry. As usual in such cases, the wildest reports obtained currency, and tbe tactics of the Government in causing tbe exclusion of the public from the Council Chamber on the occasion of the preliminary inquiry, of course stimulated invention. Indeed; up to the present time, all that haa been officially communicated amounts to nothing mure than that the tenders were opened by somebody or other — presumably, but by no means certainly, by the officer usually supposed to have charge of such documents. In the absence of more definite information, we may pr ceed to relate such particulars as, in spite of the singular reticence of the authorities, have come to our knowledge. Briefly, then, it appears that on Thursday evening last, a gentleman temporarily residing in town became possessed of certain information which led him to suspect that the tenders had been opened. He at once decided that it was a public duty to apprise the Deputy-Superintendent. The latter immediately waited on the Provincial 1 Treasurer, and the two in turn called on the Commissioner of Police, who, nothing loth, accompanied them to the residence of the Clerk to the Supetintendent. They found him in bed, we believe. He rose, and gave them the keys. They proceeded to the Government Buildings, and op«ned the cafe in

which the box containing the tenders was kept, and, to the momentary relief of the assembled party, a glance satisfied them that the tenders were " all there." A hasty inspection, however, confirmed their fears that all was not as it should be, and the box and contents were placed under seal. When the Council met next day, aud the general public had withdrawn, the envelopes containing the respective teuders were laid on the table, the tenderers were called in, and each was asked to identify his own, and say whether it had been tampered with since leaving his hands. Several were unable to speak positively on tliis point, but others, without hesitation, declared that the envelopes had been opened, and re-sealed, or gummed, as the case required. The nefarious business had, in fact, been done with a clumsiness that was only exceeded by the dishonesty of the act. Iv one case, for instance, the envelope had been sealed with different wax to that originally used, in another, the ends of the envelope were actually smoked, as if the operator had held it over a vessel of water placed on the fire. There were other marks, all so distinct as to leave no doubt on the minds of those present as to what had been accomplished by some person. Whether in reality or otherwise, the Government appeared uttc ly at a loss what course to pursue, but ultimately decided to place the matter in the hands of the Provincial Solicitor. There it has remained ever since, and for all that has yet transpired, is likely to remain. One version of the affair is, that the Clerk to the ***uperintendent was drugged by certain parties, and duriug his temporary unconsciousness the disgrai eful act was consummated. Assuming this to be the case, he is so far blameless, as regards the crime itself. But, as a faithful public servant, it was his duty so soon as possible, after recovery from the effect of tbe poisonous draught, to have communicated with the police, giving them all such particulars as might aid in the detection and apprehension of tbe conspirator <«r conspirators. He may have done so for all we know. In that case, it is possible the police bavedeeme s itadvisab'e tomaintain thesilence that has already received an unfavourable construction at the hands of the public. They have looked on the apparently dilatory action of the authorities as evidence of a desire on their part to allow the thing to blow over like many minor scandals that have engaged attention for a passing hour. For the honour of the province, we trust tbat our conjecture may prove correct, and that the real offenders ire even now under police surveillance. ■ Since the above was in type, the Council ha 3 again taken the subject into consideration. After a warm debate on the motion introduced by Mr T. M. Clarke, it decided to defer au expression of opinion on the merits of the ease as between the Executive and the Council, on the understanding that all proper measures were in train under the advice of the Provincial Solicitor.