The LATE SCANDAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1182, 27 November 1871, Page 2

The LATE SCANDAL.

The principal topic of conversation in this town during the past week has been the unfortunate scandal at the Spit, the story of which, magnified and distorted in every possible manner, has spread far and wide. We are always slow to give currency to mere rumors, and at first, among the many conflicting stories, and the absence of ascertained facts, we thought it best to await tie progress of events. We are glad to be able to state that the worst details so widely spiead have pro\ed to be mere fabrications; that a consistent and connected defence has from the first been set up by the parties, and that their previous characters have been such as to place them above suspicion. Whether any formal investigation will take place we cannot say, but we are confident that its result, would be to dissipate the painful doubt still remaining in the minds of many, better acquainted with current rumors than the facts. The exertions of private individuals have gone far to remove the first impression raised by 'he rumor, but something more is yet required, As regards the unfortunate young man whose action has /innocently enough, we believe) wrought so much disgrace, his sufferings, both physical and mental, have been painful in the extreme. It is well for him that his upright and consistent character, and his conscientious discharge of his public duties (to which we have before had occasion to allude) have won for him such general esteem. The suffering which has been brought upon «n innocent family by this sad affair it is impossible to describe.

Mr Morico, the minister of St. Paul',* Presbyterian Church, pointedly alludecj to the subject in his discourse yesterday morning, evidently taking the favorable view of the case. We are sorry to say that this event has brought to light a great deficiency of Christian charity in some quarters where it might reasonably have been sought, and a disposition to ignore the "Divine precept —*' Judge not, that ye be not judged." —Until some result more definite than the present state of things has been come' to, we would merely warn our readers against hasty judgments, and the reception of hearsay statements or idle rumors, which there is too much reason to believe have been industriously circulated by evil-disposed persons.