The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3622, 1 October 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1874.

Men of mark have occasionally very odd ways of going about their work. The Provincial electors of the Lakes District entrusted Mr Robert Clarke with the care of their interests iu the Provincial Council. We do not remember that he particularly distinguished himself: at any rate, he has not the chivalry of Smith O’Brien, and has no mind to “ die on the floor of the House ” in the execution of his duty. Yet Mr Robert Clarke has an idea of making a martyr of himself, after his own fashion, and his way is, instead of fighting the matter out, if there is anything to fight for, by shrinking from the contest and giving up in despair. Here is Mr Robert Clarke’s reason for going out of political life. It is addressed to the electors of the Provincial district of the Lakes, and published in. the * Arrow Observer Convinced as I am that the Lakes district cannot hope for just consideration at the hands of the Provincial Council of Otago, I am constrained to place my re igaation as your member in the hands of his Honor the Superintendent, with my reaso s for the step taken—satisfied that I cannot better s Tye your interests than by acting conscientiously; nor can I merit the honor jou have done me better than by hurling my loudest protest against injustice which I am powerless to correc , hut which 1 d nounce as insufferable, and refuse to eouatena- ce by my presence. In thanking my friends for their kind tr st, and the honor conferred upon me. I beg leave to assure them that trie recollection of their kindnees will nerve my arm in any case nf service which the district may require in future from its faithful servant.