The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, APRIL 7.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 101, 7 April 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, APRIL 7.

Perhaps it would be more charitable on our part were we to follow the example of the meeting last Friday evening, as expressed in the sentence made use of by Mr. DeLautoub, and say “ Well, you are going away, and we are not going to criticise and question you but if the few remarks which follow are not exactly in the letter, they are certainly made in the above spirit. To say that Mr. McDonald’s speech, given on the

above occasion, was one of the most unique of its kind, is but “ to paint the lily and adorn the rose,” and equally as patent as the undisguised truth that he was fully entitled to the broad compliment paid him, as to having “ spoken his mind.” No doubt it was owing to this palpable fact that we were indebted to the rhodomoutade which certainly proved amusing, and somewhat instructive. We are not going to trouble ourselves about the numerous remarkable assertions which carry their own refutation, but feel impelled to express our surprise at the one made re the breakwater inasmuch as this question will undoubtedly be made the war cry of each party in the coming election. Mr. McDonald’s assertion, whilst complaining at the Conference having now' taken up the breakwater movement “ what he took up five years ago,” is open to considerable doubt, and betrays the fact that his memory as to facts, is on a par with his modesty. The truth is, the movement was on foot, and being actively pushed ahead, long before Mr. McDonald had the honor of representing “ this district.” But this is the ignis fatuus which has been dangled in front of his nose to lure him on through the last five years, and is now “ down in black and white.” Another thing which exercises our member’s ire is the unpardonable sin of curiosity which has been exhibited of late by the Press as to w’hat bis intentions were, and although protesting that he did not care a snap for the Press, the amount of attention which he devoted to the subject seemed to belie the assertion. No one knows better than Mr. McDonald that the Press has been his best friend, and in proof of this we heartily join in wishing him every prosperity, and a “ God speed ” on his journey.

Notwithstanding the confidential manner in which Mr. McDonald “ thought it his duty ” to unbosom hitnself “ to the men who had placed confidence in him,” numbers of them are still enquiring, Is Mac. really going to resign ? If so, why does he not do so at onee, and wdiy is he beating about the bush in this manner ? To these anxious enquiries wo can only say, why, indeed ? Perhaps the Beesoii will shortly be know'n.