THE LATE MR. PLUNKETT AND HIS WIDOW.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 1007, 3 May 1871, Page 2

THE LATE MR. PLUNKETT AND HIS WIDOW.

TO THE EDITOR OF TUB HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. Sir,—The Melbourne extract commenting on the distressed condition of the widow of the late Mr Plunkett, transferred to your columns yesterday, leaves an undeserved slur, on ...tjm lsgiikt'Ure and'Government of New South Wales. Their action in general I should be very faintly, disposed io defend,, but their decision adverse to the claim pre ferred for a gratuity in this lady's favor needs elucidation.

John Hubert Plunkett's name of itself arouses the recollection of many a good and liberal deed done by the men of his race. The lustre they attained in the darkest days of Irish History by iheir eloquence, learning, and integrity, was added to rather than dimmed, by the career of this scion of the family in Australia.

His earliest connexion with State affairs dates back to the historic Clare election. The issue that remarkable contest piesented to the British Government, was, either civil war or the removal of Catholic disabilities. The peaceful path as all know, was happily chosen, and with that choice came to an end the ardent services of many a young and enthusiastic aide-de-camp of O'Connell. Among such was ranked Mi Plunkett, then a young barrister fresh from college. A year or two subse quently, about 1830, he was appointed Solicitor-General of New South Wales with a salary of <£Boo per annum. This office he held for five or six years, till promoted to be Attorney Genera' with £1,200 per annum. His fulfilment of the duties of this very important and responsible office, in a government that was virtually a despotism, —with juries for many years of military officers only ; and the functions and'powers of a grand jury in his hands entirely—was marked by the highest honor, impartiality and fearlessness. I cannot refrain from raying so, though it is not my present purpose to panegy rize. The appointment being a permanent one, lie filled it till the introduction of responsible (query —irresponsible ')) government in J 856. In that year he retired on a full pension of £1,200 a year,—which he continued to receive till his death about two years since. With ample means, the question natur ally arise-', how is it that his widow appears Ho destitute'? I confess I cannot answer.

Pressure or settlement of a family were burdens he had not to bear, for he had no offspring. The tastes and style of living, as well of Iris wife as himself, were simple, unostentatious, and even abstemious.

His official income, moieover, wa> added to by a good practice at one period; as well as by a very profitable sale of a well selected free grant of land in lliawarra—the garden of New South Wales. ■

Perhaps the reference to tin; bandy ing of Mrs Plunkett's claim between the Government, and die Catholic body, gives the true key to the Sydney Assembly's refusal of aid. Estimable both in private and public life, the master passion of both was an honorable and sincere devotion to their faith. No sacrifice would in their estimation be too great for their church and creed. Narrowly to weigh, or hesitatingly to pause over the disbursement of mere money in its cause or for the furtherance of its service, never throughout life had been their view of duty as its loving children. Seeing then that it is likely such unselfish devotion has left MrsPlunkett in her present state, it cannot be .surprising that in an Assembly filled by men of many forms of faith, hesitation should be apparent in applying public funds to "relieve the unfortunate and deplorable exigencies of a lady, markedly estimable, but who had always possessed the means of becoming independent of such assistance. J. B. Napier, May 2, 1871.