The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1877. THE MACANDREW TESTIMONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 203, 23 February 1877, Page 10

The New Zealand Tablet. Fiat Justitia. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1877. THE MACANDREW TESTIMONIAL.

MM—_M_.^^____ MMM On last Wednesday evening, an influential meeting was held in Dunedin, for the purpose of taking the steps necessary to provide a suitable testimonial to Mr. Macandrew, the late Superintendent of Otago, in recognition of his past services to this Province. The proposed testimonial is, it seems, to have no political significance ; and yet, considering that Mr. M acandrew's services have been rendered chiefly in a political capacity, it is difficult to see how the testimonial and politics can, even in the abstract, be separated from each other. But let this pass, when people mean well, it would be ungracious to press too severely for consistency and logical sequence. The spirit manifested by some of the speakers at this meeting is creditable to them. The gentlemen to whom we allude hare been for a year or two Mr. Macand___w's opponents politically on one question ; but having helped to carry that question against him, and being now victorious and triumphant

they feel they can be generous, and are, no doubt, desirous of being considered chivalrous victors. We dont know that, under the circumstances there is very much merit in their returning to their first love, for it must not be forgotten that these gentlemen were for years the fast political friends of the late Superintendent of OtagTh We hope that, in their case, gratitude is not a keen appreciation and an earnest expectation of favors to come, but a disinterested recognition of valuable services rendered to them and theirs. For there can be no doubt that Mr. Macandrew ia an able and unselfish politician, and should he be spared to take part in the future management of our affairs, he must inevitably come to the surface again, and take a leadin* part in the government of the country. ° Like many others, we have not agreed with Mr. Mac Andrew on all points, notably on the question of education. We have never belonged to his party, or indeed to any party and we have no obligations either personal or political towards him. Nevertheless we think, and we are glad of an opportunity of saying so, that he deserves well of the Province of Otago taken as a whole, and also of the entire Colony. He has certainly given an example of political honesty, and of disinterested devotion to what he felt convinced would best promote the interests of the people of Otago. Such an example is valuable for all. Mr. Macandbkw has throughout his long political career given unmistakable proofs of his ability, foresight, and wisdom in the inauguration of measures for the development of the various resources of Otago, and the promotion of the happiness of its inhabitants, and his administration of its affairs has been marked by decision and vigor. Talents and industry such as these, combined with constancy of purpose, and honesty of action, are calculated to make all his fellow-citizens his debtors.

The proposal, then, to present him with a testimonial at this time is not only a graceful proceeding, but, in some sense, the payment of a debt strictly due, and we trust that the project will be proceeded with vigorously. On more occasions than one, we have opposed Mr. Mac Andrew's policy on certain questions ; aud we have not the least doubt that he and ourselves will be again found in opposition to each other ; but this shall not prevent us from openly recognising his possession of many sterling qualities, and from testifying to his really great past services. Mr. Macandrew, in our opinion, deserves the hearty and substantial thanks of the entire people of Otago, notwithstanding some defects and shortcomings; and we hope that the testimonial to be pre. sented to him, will be worthy at once of the people who present it, and of him to whom it is to be presented. It should be this, or it should not be at all. It should be remembered by all, that acts of justice and gratitude are never in vain, even for those who do them. Such acts- are the expression of virtues which serve and enoble both givers and recipients.

been injured by the late floods, applied for compensation, but were admonished by the stern reply, that the conscript reverends in question were not accountable for "the act of God ? "

When such a council, then, undertakes to sit in judgment, \ it may justly claim to be regarded as a " Daniel," aod right- | fully may overwhelm with contempt all who would imperti- j nently venture to question its impartiality, even though it should j itself stand at the bar as well as sit upon the bench — meta- > phorically as well as Hibernianly speaking of course. But, i nevertheless, we must, shame-facedly and to our confusion, i confess that we have been by no means satisfied by the result of the inquiry into the circumstances attendant on the death , of Mr. Pearson's child at the Fever Hospital. j

It is true that a considerable amount of evidence, in favor of the manner in which the hospital is conducted, was brought forward on the refusal of the complainant, under certain circumstances, to proceed with his case, but we have so frequently seen the most confident testimony completely overthrown on the hearing of the statements opposed to it, and that without the slightest suspicion of an intention to deceive on the part of any of those concerned, that we consider all that was adduced on the occasion alluded to as simply a mere waste of time and words. So much, however, we managed to glean, as that it was plainly admitted that the attendance employed at the hospital was insufficient, and that the dying child was removed from the room where it had passed the day on four nights, evidently rather to suit the convenience of Mr. Johnston e, the care-taker, than for any benefit to be derived from the change by the poor little sufferer — that is, from the change considered in itself, and without reference to the alternative of the child's being left unwatched in any manner during the hours of the night.

But it is not our purpose to sift the evidence given, and ifjwe allude to the case at all, it is simply in order to express a hope that the affair may not now be considered as settled. We greatly doubt the wisdom of the compulsory clause in the Health Act, for we believe that by leading to the concealment of infectious disorders, on the part of persons not wholly under the control of reason and common sense, and such folk greatly preponderate in this vale of tears, it is far more likely to conduce to the spread of disease than to its prevention ; tut it must be clear to all, that, to render it so much as endurable to those who fall within its reach, it is above all things necessary that it may be seen beyond possibility of error, that the welfare of the sufferers is insured by their .forcible removal from home, and that they are taken away as much, to secure for them increased means of recovery, as to prevent the disease by which they are affected from spreading abroad. Otherwise, we fear that "our duty towards our neighbor" may occasionally prove a little tougher than what it can reasonably be expected that mere flesh and blood will be inclined peaceably to perform.