MR. T. L. SHEPHERD AT CROMWELL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 15 May 1873, Page 3

MR. T. L. SHEPHERD AT CROMWELL.

According to the utterances of Mr. T. L. Shepherd at Cromwell, as reported by the "Argus" of the 6th inst., we have been bestowing praise where praise was not due. It seems that it is to Mr. Shepherd we are " principally " indebted for our chancss of a railway from Tokomairiro to Lawrence, and not to our own member Mr. J. C. Brown. Hear what this sapient legislator says : — " He had seen a few weeks ago, a loading article ia tiie ' Cromwell Arj^us ' upon t'-.e Toko-mairiro-Taapeka line of railway, in which the entire credit of the fact of that line beinoj authorised was given to Mr. J. C. Brown, of Tuapeka. He wa* hardly astonished at so mendacious a statement ou the part of 1i«- " Arijufl," for it was customary for th.it paper to detract from the praise due to himself (ilr. Shepherd) in every conceivable manner. It was not possible to take up an issue of the paper without seeing something harping upoc his name, and always with a view to his discredit and ridicule. The fact was, Mr. J. C. Brown of Tuapeka's silent vote was given to the Stafford party, and was it liknly thnr Mr. Voxel's G-overnment would authorise the line at Mr. J. C. Brown's rrqupst? The credit on account of th?t railway was due : first to the Railway Committee of Lawrence ; second, to the Provincial Council ; and lastly and principally, to himself (Mr. SVpherd)." The so-called mendacious statements of the " Cromwell Argus " are far surpassed by those of Mr. Shepherd, who knows right well that> he was entirely opposed to the Tuapeka railway, and that be would have been delighted had the Waipahi bouie been the means of delaying the coaatruction of the Tuapeka line. We have no particular fault to find with Sir. Shepherd's conduct during the last sessiou of the Assembly. We believe h^ worked conscientiously for the good of the country, but it is to be rej/rette'i that he has no kind monfcor to pr. vcrr him from being so pxtravagant in *i:r self-assertions. We would rave thought that time and contact wit • -w superiors would have done « »n!etvln«< lor him in this respect, but a eouavft result is the case- In effect M»\ Hhepherd says: "I, Thomas Luther Shepherd, through my own individual effort, got the duty stamp reduced froui 2d to Id. I was the principal gentleman in the Assembly who obtained a railway for the Tuapeka people. Mr. Yogel begins to acknowledge ray genius, and I have no doubt that His Excellency before he is very long in New Zealand, will see it to !>r to the best interests of t'»« ci "J" call me" to his Counsels." W«-< i., for this great weakness hv vv .if- • .• so often brings ridicule upon \rimscix, Mr. Shepherd plight be & very useful reprjeseßGfttiye.