Perfectly Unnecessary “Precautions."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 662, 14 June 1882, Page 2

Perfectly Unnecessary “Precautions."

Precautionary. - Mr Ivess will address the electors the night before the election in Mr Bullock’s large auction room, the use of the premises being kindly granted to him by the public-spirited proprietor. The use of the Town II ill for the night in question was tendered for, and Mr Saunders’ committee sent in the highest tender. Mr Ivess's views are already well known to the electors, but then ugly and lying rumors may be circulated at the last moment to damage his candidature. He has taken the necessary precaution to be in a position to publicly answer all charges which may be levelled against him.

The above paragraph appeared in a recent issue of Mr Ivess’s paper, and its publication was a clever idea, for which Mr Ivess is entitled to considerable credit. The intimation that this staunch ally of the working man, this “ untried ” politician, who is going to redress all the wrongs of the ’orny’anded, if he only gets the chance, “ has taken the necessary precaution ’ to obtain a hearing on Thursday even-’ ing, may very possibly mislead the public (as it was undoubtedly intended to) without a like explanation. Many readers might infer from Mr Ivess’ paragraph, that the use of the Town Hall had been obtained by his opponent lor the night before the election by underhand or unfair means, and that Mr Ivess had been left out in the cold, without a chance of vindicating himself from the “charges that might be levelled against him.” Hence the “precaution.” But what are the facts of the case ? The hall was wanted, as a matter of course, by both candidates, and the Town Hall Company resolved, as the fairest means of settling the difficulty, to invite tenders for its use on Thursday night,' Mr Saunders’ tender being higher than that of Mr Ivess was,

of course accepted ; but yet anxious, as they have been all along, to see fair play, Mr Saunders’ committee, very generously as we think, sent the following proposal to the rival camp : “Seeing that the committee of both candidates are desirous of securing the Ashburton Town Hall on the evening betore the polling, so that the candidate may make a final appearance to the electors of Wakanui, We propose that both committees shall conjointly engage the hall for the purpose, the right of priority of speaking to be decided by the candidates themselves (at the said meeting.”) The reply received was, that Mr Ivess’ committee “ firmly but respectfully begged to inform ” Mr Saunder’s committee, that they “ intended to hold aloof altogether ” from their proceedings. Thus the public will see that Mr Saunders’ committee offered Mr Ivess the opportunity of con-

tradicting, if correct, in the fullest possible manner, any statement to which he might object. What could be fairer than that the rival candidates should stand on the same platform and address

the same audience ? Mr Saunders, at any rate, was prepared to do so. Mr Ivess as we have seen was not —and he probably had very excellent reasons Lr declining.

Police. —There was no business at the Court this merning.

New Telegraph Office. —A telegraph office has been opened at Te Aroha, County Piako.

Quaiffb’s Mills. —An announcement by Mr Edward Quaiffe, miller, will be found elsewhere.

The Rink. —The ordinary meeting of the rinkists for practice takes place at the Town Hall to-night. ■ Another Mem. —A notification by Mrs Hodge to the ladies of Ashburton will be found elsewhere. A Donation From His Excellency.— The Governor has forwarded a cheque for L2O towards the Timaru wreck relief fund.

Australian Mails. Mails for the Australian Colonies and the United Kingdom, per Ringarooma, close at the Bluff on Saturday, ISth inst., at noon. Wakancji Election. —Mr Saunders’ Committee are particularly re guested to meet at the Central Committee Rooms to-morrow evening, at 7 o’clock, prior to the public meeting. The Financial Statement. The Press special, wiring from Wellington last night, says General disappointment was felt at the announcement that Major Atkinson was too ill to deliver his Financial Statement. I regret to learn that he is very unwell to-night, and it is doubtful when he will be fit to undertake the task. Evangelistic Service. —There was a good attendance at the Town Hall last night on the occasion of holding an evangelistic service, in continuance of a series commenced immediately after Mrs HampHon’s visit to Ashburton. The Rev. D. Gordon, of Temuka, gave a very impressive address, which was listened to with keen attention throughout. It was announced during the evening that to-rnor-row week the Rev. B. Best, of Christchurch, would conduct the service. Masonic Concert. — The concert which takes place on Friday evening promises to be most successful. We have been favored with a copy of the programme, and from the number and variety of the items, and the well-known ability of the performers, a great musical treat will be in store for those who purpose attending. Several rehearsals have been held, but owing to the HaU being engaged to-mor-row evening we are desired to state that the usual rehearsal will be held this evening instead.

The Oxford Tragedy —An inquest was held yesterday at the Oxford Hotel on tjia bodies of John Horne and John Grenfell, the former of whom was killed by the latter on Monday. Nothing fresh transpired, further than we have already published The jury returned a verdict as follows:—“We find that deceased, John Horne, came by his death from a blow from an adze given by John Grenfell, who afterwards drowned himself, and that the said John Grenfell was at the same time suffering under a fit of temporary insanity.”

Timarh Criminal Session. —The Supreme Court Criminal sessions opened yesterday before Mr Justice Williams, who remarked on the lightness of the calendar. The Grand Jury returned true bills in all cases. Charles Heatley, a lad of sixteen, pleaded guilty to stealing a horse, saddle, and bridle on February last. Sentence deferred. Edward Ford pleaded guilty to stealing a purse and L 3 10s from the person of James Molloy in March last. Ford was caught in the act of cobbing Molloy, who was drunk. Sentence deferred. Thomas Christie, who has a string of aliases, pleaded guilty to forging and uttering a cheque for Ll 5 in February, 1881. Christie cleared out and evaded the police till captured for • a similar offence committed in Oamaru, fur which ho is now undergoing sentence. Sentence deferred. John Sullivan, a boy of thirteen, pleaded guilty to placing stones on the railway line in January last. He was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment. John Thomas Healey pleaded not guilty to a charge of forging and uttering a cheque for L4O. Acquitted. On another charge of forging ani uttering a promissory note for Ll2 10s, in the name of a farmer, a second jury found him guilty of uttering but not of forgery. The defence was that he got the documents from other people. Mark Bishop was charged with assault with intent upon a girl under twelve years, and was found guilty of a common assault arid was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor. J. T. Healey was indicted on a third charge of forgery and uttering, and pleaded guilty to uttering. The Crown Prosecutor accepted the plea and offered no evidence as to the forgery. The same prisoner was then indicted on three other cases.