THE SHANNON APPOINTMENT. THE PREMIER DEFENDS IT. Dunedin, Dec. 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 327, 22 December 1888, Page 3

THE SHANNON APPOINTMENT. THE PREMIER DEFENDS IT. Dunedin, Dec. 17.

Tiik Premier is overrun with deputations Six* H. Atkinson paid that Mr Shannon was not responsible for the instructions issued: The 'responsibility remained with the permanent officers oi" the department though the opinions expressed -by the deputation seemed to indicate that they believed Mr Shannon had been appointed Chairman of Customs, which was absurd. His recommendations were simply considered as those of an expert, bub the responsibility rested »• on- others. .>, <■ No contradictory instructions had been issued. The statements telegraphed to the news papers were unreliable and were cettainly not material for gentlemen occupying responsible positions to frame charges upon. As to Mr Shannon's appointment he could not entertain a vague general' statement, alleging that the appointment was unsuitable. So far, he had ' every reason to be satisfied with Mr Shannon. On seeing the report of an alleged interview with Mr Shannon, he had seen him and Mr Shannon had denied the truth of the statement* therein contained.* Mr Shannon said there was only one man who could have written it, and that man got into private conversation with him and ho talked hcely to him, but what was published misrepresented what he said. He had been astonished to sec anything published. Mr Shannon emphatically denied having made the statements as they appeared. The Premier remarked that the deputation must know that it was a common ' matter for newspapers to misrepresent what was sent by giving only a portion of what was said without any intention to misconstrue.