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Dunstan Times, Issue 304, 21 February 1868, Page 3

Committees.— "There appears to he a limited class in this community from which the committees of our public charities are nearly always elected. This class is not remarkable for intelligence or special capacity of management, nor is it possessed of instinc's which, in the absence of intelligence sometimes guide people to correct conclusions. It is pragmatical, self opiniated, very self asserting, and tolerably innocent of those a wantages which are understood to be born of education. But it is composed of persons who in their way are very ambition', and who, having failed to distinguish themselves in any other capacity, succeed in shining with great lustre at weekly committee meetings. They are eloquent after their fashion ; they make set speeches an i gesticulate with a vehemence that is quite impressive. They have convinced them selves of their entire disinterestedness an i they are especially aggrieve I if any suspicion is expressed either of their fitness or perfect devotion to the task they have undertaken. The reluotanc; of really eligible men to act upon committees causes them to be somewhat in request, and so they have no difficulty in persuading themselves that they are indispensable. It has thus come to pass, that year after year, there appears very little change in the com position of these managing boards. Strictly speaking, the election is little more than a practical expression of mutual expression of mutual admiration. They appoint each other. The annual meeting of subscribers is little else than a full attendance of the committee. They inform themselves that they have acted entirely to each other's satisfaction during the past year, that their zeal and energy have surpassed belief, that the charity must have ceased to ho but for their unwearied efforts, and then they hold "P their hands and become committee-men again for another twelve months. Now and then, by chance, a stray gentleman

loses his way, and gets among these singular people, but he finds himself in such uncongenial company, and is altogether so hustled and worried, that he commonly takes the first favorable opportunity of resigning, and registers a sckmn vow never to become a committee-man again." Argus.