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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 101, 28 September 1878, Page 2

Thkbe can be no doubt that Dr. Book--BTROW made a grave mistake at the last meeting of the County Council when he waxed eloquent over what he characterised as the " Carnarvon swindle," and we were somewhat surprised that his raisstateraents were not confuted by Councillor Gowbb at the time. In fact we ourselves were led astray by the Bilenco of Councillor Go web, inasmuch as we thought that by the denunciations being allowed to go unchallenged, they were founded on fact. Such, however, was not the case, and the claim made for a portion of the twenty per cent, of the land revenue need not have been withheld from any such conscientious scruples. The land for which the refund was claimed was purchased by Mr MoKelvib and Mr D. Scott, and if we are not much mistaken Councillor Gower himself invested m the same venture. Beside which Councillor Rockstrow ought to have known that as ( he " swindle," which he denounced, was a private speculation from the owners to the public, and not from the Crown, there could be no refund claimable. The settlers p.t Carnarvon Proper are highly indignant at the reason alleged for withholding what they consider they were justly entitled to ; and "certainly if, as they assert, their claim is valid and a good one, it was adding "insult to injury " with a vengeance. Wo feel convinced, however, that ifc was purely a mistake on Councillor Rocksiiiow's part, for which his inexperience m the Council must, plead, bufc we have no doubtthat he will be prepared to made the amende honorable at the next sitting of the Council.