Sequel to a Waihi Inquest.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42750, 20 July 1905, Page 2

Sequel to a Waihi Inquest.

ALLEGATIONS BY A WESLEYAN MINISTER. A PRESBYTERIAN CLERGYMAN’S REPLY. EXPLANAIIONDEMANDED, The Rev C. Harrison, Wesleyan minister at Waihi, severely criticised the conduct of the coronial inquiry touching the death of the late Mr T. Ryan, assistant-mining inspector, and more is likely to be heard of the matter. The question was discussed at a temperance meeting on Monday night, wheD the Rev Harrison moved, “ That this meeting expresses its sense of horror at the frequency of fatal accidents in the district, directly and indirectly attributable to alcoholic drink, and that the chairman and secretary be authorised to secure a solicitor to represent it on coronial inquiries when necessary, to aid in the fullest possible inquiry into and complete public statement of the circumstances attending such fatalities.” _ In speaking to the motion, he complained that the coroner would not allow him to take part in the proceedings by asking questions, which, he pointed out, would have brought to light the truth as regards the actual cause of Mr Ryan’s unfortunate aooident. The coroner, he said, would not allow him to ask questions, and replied that he could not allow every Tom, Dick, and Harry to put questions, as they might be there a fortnight. Mr Harrison contended that the jury should be obliged to stay a fortnight if necessary in order to get at the truth. He also stated that he had recently watched two well known business men of Waihi go into the hotel at Waitnkauri five or six times, until they had finally to be assisted into their saddles. He quickly followed on horseback, expecting at every turn of tho road to find another victim to the drink traffic. The motion was seconded by Mr Flollowny. The Rev J. L. Patullo, Presbyterian minister, then rose and heartily denounced the un Christian and unsym pathetic action of the mover. All the in the world would not bring fche dead to life, and yet the heart-strings of tho relatives had to bo torn sfresh because of such a motion. He would move, “ That the resolution be negatived, on the grounds, first, that no good can be gained by another public inquiry iuto the death of Mr. Ryan ; secondly, that it would be an unseemly and uo-Christian action towards the feelings of the relatives of deceased; and thirdly, that Jesus Christ would have adopted very different tactics to advance the cause of temperance to those to whioh the No license League wore then resorting. He said that in order to win men who slaves to drink, the only oourse was to treat them with utmost kindness, and not to publish abroad their failings. In reference to the charges against the two business men, he challenged Mr Harrison to name the men, stating that it was a cowardly action to make inuendoes against any man who was not there to defend himself. Bucli rash charges were a reflection on the whole business community of Waihi, Mr Beaton seconded. Mr Harrison’s resolution was carried U> voting for and 12 against. The resolution has caused intense indignation, even among prohibitionis's.

Mr Max D King (coroner) has writ ten to Kev C Harrison, demanding a written statement regarding his com* plaints, and asking him to state what wa * suppressed, or in what way the truth was not revealed.