The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 429, 12 September 1877, Page 2

The Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12, 1877.

The shell thrown by the Opposition _into the Government ranks has at last burst, and bespattered not a few of the Government benches with discredit. Numerous have been the attempts of those who desired to ascertain the truth of the disreputable and damaging rumours aimed at persons in high places ; but, sheltered behind an overwhelming majority, these persons successfully resisted anytiing like investigation until Monday l;'.st, when, thinking that he had information in his possession that would prove others to be as bad as himself, Mr. Ormond made a sally upon Sir George Grey that, for a time, caused colonists to hold their breath with amasement. "If you have no cause, abuse the other side," is a maxim for which unprincipled lawyers are celebrated, and our highly respectable Government have followed suit in indulging in this tu quoque style of argument. Mr. Ormond, usually so gentlemanly and temperate in his language, laid terribly corrupt charges against Sir George Grey - charges which, it was generally presumed, would not have been made without good grounds. In and out of the House everybody was staggered. Had Mr. Ormond aimed his shafts at almost any ether man in the House, the effect would not have been so profoundly embarrassing to hon. members aud to colonists. But the charge against Sir George Grey, the leader of the Opposition —lie who allowed himself in his old age to be withdrawn from the liappy seclusion of his home at Kawau, with the object of engaging in the political struggles of this country, in the hope that l.e might be able to conserve the best interests of the people, whiLt he could not possibly benefit himself —of corrupt practices in regard to land transactions, against which he and his party have inveighed so strongly, was almost too unlikely to be believed, even by those who were acquainted with Mr. Orm >nd's character for truthfulness. Tiie result of tiie inquiry, so far, i> that Mr. Ormond has, as remarked by Mr. Cox, " allowed his tongue to run away with his reason." We have the utmost commiseration for Mr. Ormond and other gentlemen of the Government, who, bailed up in a corner, grasped at the vague rumour supplied by some jocular friend to fluster and rout those, who, acting in the interests of the Colon?, had been a thorn in their side. Sir George Grey, it now appears, ten years ago, thought of joining several other gentlemen in leasing a block of land in the Taupo country, which, for purposes of strategy, at that time, would have been advantageous. Assuming that it would have been wrong for him to carry out his intention —although we do not think that it would have been —he abandoned the idea, after maturer consideration, and has therefore disarmed his enemies, unless it be sinful to think about land speculations in which case we would not like to be in the shoes of some people. Mr. Cox, whose word can be relied upon, gives the following as the language used by Sir George Grey when desiring to withdraw from any partnership with that gentleman and others in the block of land referred to : —" I must ask to be allowed to retire from this proposed partnership ; T have reasons for that request. I cannot afford to give my enemies a chance of representing or misrepresenting that I am connected with any irregular transaction." It augurs well for Sir George Grey's perspecacity that such a transaction might in the future hamper him, and give his enemies occasion to talk. Sir George Grey has come out oi this charge with glory, although Mr. Ormond, in his anger, has refused to retract statements that he must now know contain not one particle of truth. No one can charge Sir George Grey with inconsistency. So far from injuring his character, the base and groundless calumnies which have been laid at his door will not only cement old friends but gain for him new ones. He is, as a man and a

gentleman, far abovetliespherethat ever be attained by his aqcusers,iwrho have.proved themselves unfit to actjeyen as his J ■menials. : He has pursued one I steady course, and td use his utmost endeavours," fearless of Tyhat people might think, to advocate and practice principles that would be conducive to the dearest interests of colonists. It is high time that the wretched coricatenation of evil called the Government of New Zealand were supplanted by men capable of administering the affairs of th§ country. The whole Colony is praying that this should speedily come to pass.