MR. GIBBS'S OBJECTION TO " HONESTY."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 52, 2 March 1871, Page 2

MR. GIBBS'S OBJECTION TO " HONESTY."

To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir — Iv yesterday's Colonist I find a letter from Mr. Gibbs objecting to certain statements I made relevant to bis proceedings iv the last session of the Provincial Council. He says : — " Instead of my being absent, as "Honesty" says, T was present and opposed the motion for the rise " (in the members' honorarium). Some delay has taken place in the publication of the Blue Book, and possibly Mr. Gibbs had not received his copy, or I am sure he would never have committed himself to such a mis-statement of facts, for in it I fiud the following, which, when brought under his notice, may serve as a refresher to his memory. : — " Mr. F. Kelling moved that his Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to insert in the Appropriation Bill under the head ' Provincial Council ' the item — 'Members residing more than four miles, and under ten miles, from Nelson, 15s. per diem, instead of 10s. per diem.' Seconded by Mr. C. Kelling. Question put. Debate ensued. Council divided. Ayes 6. Messrs. C. Kelling, P. Kelling, Donne, Keid, Tarrant, Wastney. Noes 3. The Provincial Secretary^m". Shephard, Mr. Wilkie. Motio^j/carried. Mr. O'Conor autl Mr. Macmahon declined to vote." Where, oh ! where was Mr. Gibbs ? He says he was present and opposed the motion. The Clerk, in compiling the Blue Book, gives us to understand the contrary. He tells us that in 1868 and 1869 he opposed any increase to the honorarium, but what about IS7O ? Mr. Gibbs suggests that I should prefix the syllable " Dis " to the signature I have chosen, but I prefer to leave unaltered that under which I originally wrote, i and shall once more subscribe myself | Honesty. [ Nelson, Ist March, 1871.