MR FISH'S ALBANY STREET MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 3154, 29 March 1873, Page 2

MR FISH'S ALBANY STREET MEETING.

To the Editor.

Sir, —A sentence in your local on Mr Fish’s meeting in Albany street has led to some misapprehension on the part of those who were not present at the meeting. It is hardly correct to say that my attempt to speak caused an uproar. A motion of confidence was proposed and seconded, and having heard Mr Fish ipisrepresept a great many things relating to the Moa 1 lat sale, 1 rose to put him right. I stated I had not the slightest intention of opposing the motion proposed, but craved leave to address the meeting on one or two things which, either wilfully or through misadvertence, Mr Fish had stated to be facts, which were not facts. No sooner had I begun to speak than Mr Fish rose to order, objecting to my addressing the meeting. The Chairman ruled me in order, yet that did not please Mr Fish, for again he rose, and when he sat down hurled at my head some of those same epithets as he applied at the school meeting in January. I again attempted to address the meeting, but this time Mr Fish and Mr Barnes rose simultaneously. Mr Fish yielded to Mr Barnes, and these were Mr Harness words:—“l rule you have no right to address the meeting except you move an amendment,” &c. The Chairman overru ed Mr Barpes, but bis right to do bo Mr Barnes

questioned; and bo, sooner than see any “uproar,” I left Mr Fish and Mr Barnes in possession of the floor. I confess I was not surprised at Mr Fish s conduct, as he must know he has not told the whole truth about the Moa Flat sale. 1 know the whole of that'business, as, acting under instructions from the miners and storekeepers of Roxburgh, I appeared before the Waste Land Board and opposed the sale. If Mr Fish were to read Mr Macandrew’s evidence and Mr Reid’s evidence, and also state to the public the action that was taken by Mr Reid when the matter was before the Waste Land Board, after the report of the Committee of the legislative Council, it would be seen that what I say is correct. I need not add that I was opposed to that sale, but, judging of the conduct of the present Executive in the sale of 10,000 acres to Mr Logan, and in the Tapanui matter, it may be . said regarding Otago Executives, so far as the big block system is concerned, that The trail of the serpent is over them all. —I am, &c , Robert Stout. Dunedin, March 28.