The Defeat of Dr. Clark, a pro-Boer.

Manawatu Herald, 16 October 1900, Page 3

The Defeat of Dr. Clark, a pro-Boer.

The electors of Caithness have turned u the traitor" Dr. Clark out, and placed Mr L. Harmsworth in Parliament. This is a just retribution for his sins. Dr. Clark previously represented Caithness in Parliament, and also acted as Consul-General for the Transvaal.

When Dr. Clark entered the House of Commons as Member for Caithness he took the following oath :— " I, Gavin Brown Clark do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors according to law, So help me God." Every self-respecting, honourable Briton regards an oath as sacred and binding. When a member of the British Legislature, sworn to bear allegiance to the Queen, proceeds to offer those who he fully expects will shortly be in a state of war with his own country military advice, and counsels them to seize upon the territories of his Sovereign, he may account himself uncommonly lucky if he has nothing worse to tace than public contempt. The publication of Dr. Clark's letters to President Kruger and General jibnbert has still further embittered feeling in Caithness. At a meeting in Thurso of delegates of Caithness Liberal Association, it was unanimously resolved to ask Dr. Clark to retire from the representation of the county. The news of the hon. gentleman's arrival at Wick caused a crowd to in Bridge-st., and Dr. Clark was hooted and pelted with missiles, while a Union Jack was unfurled and carried about amidst cheers. Dr. Clark hurriedly left in a covered carriage, being followed and yelled at, and his vehicle covered with ochre. Dr. Clark, returning from the country was conveyed into Wick under the protection of the police, and left for Halkirk again in the afternoon to address a meeting. A large crowd collected at the railway station, and there is little doubt lhat the member for the county would have been severely treated had he made his appearance. Although taking a circular route, he was observed, and again hooted and pelted. He was accompanied by the chairman of the County Reform Association, who drew and presented a revolver at the crowtj. At Halkirk a crowded meeting awaited Dr. Clark, but it was evident from the first that feeling was very strong. The time of waiting was spent in singing " Rule Britannia," " Scots Wha Hae," and in rough play. The appearance of the doctor's most prominent supporter was the signal for a **■ shower of rotten eggs and ochre, before which he fled. About 20 minutes after the hour of meeting the doctor came into the school, and the uproar became very great. He stepped inside the door and attempted to face the audience, simply staring at them. From all parts of the hall came cries . of "Traitor." After waiting for a second or two, without uttering a word, he fled, pursued by a howling crowd. All kinds of missiles were aimed at him, and in a few moments he fled from the building to the village hotel, where he was besieged by an angry crowd, who kept up a demonstration for hours afterwards.