THE SOFT GOODS EXPERT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2016, 18 December 1888, Page 3

THE SOFT GOODS EXPERT

(PBE PRESS ABSOPIATION.)

I DuvßDnr, Deoember 17. The Premier is overran with deputations. In answer to the drapers re Mr Shannon's appointment, Sir H. Atkinson said that Mr Shannon was not reeponslble for the instructions is sued. The responsibility remained with the permanent officers of the department, though the opinions expressed by the deputation seemed to Indicate that they believed Mr Shannon had been appointed Oommls eloner of Customs, which wai absurd. Hta recommendations were Blmply considered as those of an expert bat the responsibility rested on the Commissioner. No o ntradlotory instructions had been issued. The statements telegraphed from newspapers were unreliable and certainly no material for gentlemen oooupying responsible positions to found serious charges upon. A.s to Mr Shannon's appointment he oonld not entertain vague general statements alleging that the appointee was unsuitable. So far, he had had every reason to be satisfied, with Mr Shannon. He had seen him and Mr Shannon bad denied miking the statements attributed to him. Mr Shannon slild that the only man who oould have written the report was a man who got into private conversation with htm and talked freely to him, but what was published misrepresented what was said,He had baen astonished to Bee anything published. Mr Shannon emphatically denied having made soon statements as appeared. The Premier remarked that the deputation must know what a common matter it was for newspapers to misrepresent what was said by giving only a portion of what was said without any intention to mlsconstruot.