LETHBRIDGE V. DEWAR.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 218, 20 June 1872, Page 3

LETHBRIDGE V. DEWAR.

A meeting of Mr Dewar’s friends was held last evening, at the Governor Bowen Hotel. There was a very large attendance. Mr Robert Graham was voted to the chair. Mr Graham said he felt very proud to be called upon to take the chair on this impoi tant occasion. Having read the advertisement convening the meeting, he said although not a rich man, he was prepared to bear his share of expense with Mr Dewar. If it cost £2OO he was wil-

ling to give £IOO. He had spoken to a friend of Mr Lethbridge advising, him that the action should not he brought on, as it was ill advised, and was really not against Mr De .r only, but against the whole communi.,y. Dr. Lethbridge said he was willing to withdraw the action, but was in the hands of Mr Tyler, his solicitor. Mr Dewar said he was prepared to apologise if he found he had done w ong, and was willing to leave the matter in the hands of an arbitrator, but this was not agreed to. He (Mr Graham) thought the matter could still be settled amicably, and it would be settlecf to-morrow, but if

it was not settled it must go on, nnd be believed no jury in the world would give damages. Mr Brown said the meeting bad been called to bear the opinion of Mr Dewar’s numerous friends on the matter. There had been a preliminary meeting, at which there had been some differences of opinion as to whether it was premature or not to take active steps with regard to the case at the present time. He should move a resolution appointing a committee to watch the case. They all knew the merits of the case of Lethbridge v. Davies, and Mr Dewar considering that Mr Davies had been injured, wrote a very manly letter, and was now sued for £SOO damages for writing, and be hoped that the residents of the Thames would not allow Mr Dewar to be a sufferer. He moved—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is not desirable, in the present state of affairs, to take any active steps with regard to the case of Lethbridge v. Dewar.”

Mr Stone seconded, saying he felt very acutely' as a parent who had seen children suffer in the position of Mr Davies, and thought Mr Dewar had been quite right, and had adopted a manly course by writing in his support. Mr Dewar was a kindhearted man, who was always ready to take up the cause of the oppressed, and he had done a kind action in this matter. He (Mr Stone) had much pleasure in seconding the resolution.

Mr Briton moved opinion of this meeting it is desirable to form a committee to consist of ten gentlemen chosen from the present meeting.” This was seconded, put, and carried. The following were chosen : Messrs R. Graham, Hall, Stanning, Price, Chapman, Butt, Grove, Brodie, Captain Ninnis, D. Tookcy, Rowe, Richards, Rawdon, G. McKee, Pulleine, Hudson, Hornsby, Swan, Davie, Blown, Richards, Corlett, Wilkinson, Stone, Briton, Anthony, Butland, Salmon, Sater, with power to add to their number. Captain Richards, who was proposed, declined, saying hi had not time to spare to devote to the matter, but he had known Mr Dewar for many years, and knew him to be an upright, straiglitforward man, and one who was always ready to give his assistance to any one whom he thought had been injured. If, however, it was the wish of the meeting he would serve on the committee. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Brodie, apologising for unavoidable absence from the meeting, and expressing his entire approval of what had taken place. The Chairman said lie felt sure that the committee would do their duty, but lie bad no doubt that the matter would be amicably arranged. He was glad to see so large and influential a meeting assembled to- -ght to express their sympathy with one who can come forward to assist a working man in distress. Mr Rowe moved a vote of thanks to the chairman.

The Rev Mr Butland seconded, observing that it must be remembered that Dr Lethbridge thought he was right in maintaining a principle. At the same time, he was glad that this meeting had been called, in which Engl'shinen, Irishmen, and Scotchmen had taken part, and he had much pleasure in seconding this vote of thanks to their chairman, who had so ably presided on this occasion. The motion was then put and passed. At the close of the meeting the following were appointed a working subcommittee to arrange the details : Messrs Hornsby, Briton, Richards, Davies, Skene, Graham, and Brown, to meet at 11 o'clock next morning at the Governor Bowen Hotel, it being understood that any members of the general committee could attend if they liked. Mr Swan said as the public had taken the matter up, if there was any apology from Mr Dewar it should not include any payment of legal expenses. Capt. Richards and others said no doubt Mr Dewar wolud place himself in the that of his Committee, and that the matter would be satisfactorily settled. A vote of thanks to Mr Anthony for the use of his room was passed and the meeting terminated,