UNACCOUNTABE INCONSISTENCY.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 48, 16 June 1880, Page 2

UNACCOUNTABE INCONSISTENCY.

We have received two letters coramcndinor our remarks with regard to the refusal to license the Awa Huri Hotel, but although naturally we are pleased $t the flattering terms m vrhich this paper is spoken of, we feel that we have done nothing m,o.re than our duty m exposing a most glaring inconsistency or apparent injustice. It may be that at times our ' language may appear strong, but we very much question if it be possible, tq err m that manner when condemning the decision of the Licensing Commissioners of the Feilding District. Of course it is out of our power to say positively whether the decision was an unanimous one or not, but we have very good presumptive evidence to imagine it was not. Ou the occasion when the license was refused to Mr. Schtiltzb at Foxton, the Chairman, Robbht Ward Esq., not only was m favor of granting it, but, if we mistake not, made his wish public m Court ; aud, o.f course, he was of the same mm.d on the. s.econd application, when the former decision was reversed. Under these circumstances, then, wp imagine we would be pretty safe m assuming that he was a dissentient when the verdict was adverse to the application a, few -days ago, were it not fp,r another, fact which gives a veto to su,ch a supposition. When the petition for. the re-opening of the house on account of the necessity for a lioensed hotel iv Awa Huri, was m course of signature, one of the vory first to append kh name was My. D. H. Macart;httr, and we have too high an opinion of' that gentleman's consistency to imagine for one moment that he would prove false to his word, not to speak of his sign manual. This belief, however, places us high and dry upon the horns of a very awkward dilemma, for even supposing that Messrs. Douglas and Leth;bridge both opposed the application, if the Chairman and Mr. MaCaethfb supported ii, rt was bound to be carried, as the opinion of the presiding Commissioner carries double weight. This fact, then, reveals the very unsatisfactory truth that cither the Chairman or Mr. Macabthur must have proved recreant, and m i.he absence, of the slightest causo for the change we j are led to the disagreeable supposition tha,t *.' there are. wheels within wheels" Although we do. not intend to. maintain that m all' causes the decision of each individual Commissioner should be made public, still our opinion inclines that way, for we hold that as it is presumed the verdict is the outcome of sincere conscientious conviction, ear-h oue should have the courage, of his opinion. If A nian be afraid to discharge a public duty fearlessly, then heis u,nw,or.tby of the trust which has been reposed m him. and there is a very great possibility of his being amenable to fear or. .friendship. If such be the fact then, under ordinary circumstances, how much more necessary ia it that publicity stonOd^e giyeatq % xq<a»| ;

upon the license referred, to*. Of this there can be no doubt.that adine .pressure — secret or otnerwige-^ has been brought to bear, upon eitWMr^ Wa«J> or lir. Macahthub,: and until the halo of suspicion which surrounds " the late sitting be dispelled, the public cpnhave no faith m tke purity of inch tribunals, and Mr. .Samuels be considered the victim of some outside influence or machination. It is \ duty both Messrs. Macabthub and Wabd owe to^ their own good name that this very shady transaction be cleared away; and it is £ coarse which the public have a Hgfet to demand at their hands. \