THE MYSTIFIED MR HALLJONES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 July 1901, Page 3

THE MYSTIFIED MR HALLJONES.

An Account of His Conduct. It has been pointed out with regard to Mr Hall-Jones's statement that " He has occupied rooms in the wing sot apart at Searle's Hotel for the Eoyal visit for the last two and a half years," that the wing referred to is a new one, which has only been in occupation for five months. With reference to Mr Hall-Jones's statement that if he had removed from his rooms to ensuro privacy to the Royal suite he would have been unable to obtain accomodation elsewhere, it transpires that rooms had been reserved for him in another part of Searle's Hotel, and that he absolutely refused to move into them, asserting to the landlord that he would not go out for a certain Biblical personage himself. As to Mr Hall-Jones not having been previously consulted, it seems that he was present at the Cabinet meetings at which the whole question of accomodation was debated. It is fair to say, on behalf of Mr Hall-Jones, that his attitude in regard to the matter is greatly admired by a certain section of the community, who esteem him to have exhibited a courage of which he had never previously given indication. Judging by eulogiums on his conduct which I have heard, I would not be surprised to hear of some recognition being made of this last discovered attitude in Mr Hall-Jones.

As the report that the Hon. W. HallJones bad resigned his seat in the Cabinet first appeared in the Timaru Herald, which is opposed to Mr Hall-Jones, it was doubted in some quarters. The Morning Post, which strongly supports Mr HallJones and the Ministry, now confirms the statement that in passing through Timaru the Premier informed the chairman of Mr Hall-Jones's committee that he had re. ceived a telegram from the Minister of Public Works saying that he (the Minister) had posted his resignation as a member of the Cabinet. At the Premier's suggestion a telegram wa3 sent to Mr Hall-Jones requesting him to reconsider his decision. The Minister replied that he was mystified by the telegram, and a reply was sent giving the Premier's statement that Mr Hall-Jones had resigned.