DEFENCE OF FIGHTING. " MAC."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7504, 6 July 1903, Page 4

DEFENCE OF FIGHTING. " MAC."

Recent Ceylon papers contain some interesting references to the lato Sir Hector Macdonald. The Ceylon Native Oj)inion of March 20th says:—"lt seems that at the Coronation parade His Excellency the Governor (Sir West Ridgeway) was not present, and he ontrusted tho inspection and review to Sir Hector Macdonald, while he went down with some lady friends to the Ridgeway links to amuse himself with golf. The parade over, Sir Hector appears to have sent a despatch to the Imperial authorities, reporting everything connected with tho parade, but specially mentioning that His Excellency the Governor was not present, and that the whole thing was done under his supervision. This despatch seems to have been a surprise to the Imperial authorities, who communicated with the Colonial Office. Between them there appears to have been somo correspondence, until ultimately the matter appears to have been referred to His Excellency for explanation. Matters were in statu quo for a time." The Ceylon Standard of April Ist says : —" From all that has leaked out wo gather that some woman made an infamous complaint to the Governor, that a secret investigation was held in regard to it, and that Sir Hector was persuaded to leave for England to rebut the charges that would be made against him there. As far as could be learnt, no opportunity was given Sir Hector to repudiate tho charges or defend himself at any inquiry held in Ceylon, so that the very mistaken step he was induced to take by leaving for England must have prejudiced him seriously 'with the Home authorities. Ceylon as a whole," the writer adds, " believes in Sir Hector's innocence, for Ceylon has had many opportunities of getting acquainted with General Macdonald, his ways, and disposition."