The Evening star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4731, 6 March 1884, Page 2

The Evening star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1884.

The members of public bodies in Auckland can claim a large share of originality, if; no other quality ; can be credited to them. There cannot be the least doubt that they are the most erratic set of men under the Sun. Whether their contradictions arise from after conviction, or through influence brought to bear on them; or whether it be that climatic action tends to make them transact business in their sleep, and upon awakening, wish to undo their deeds, it is hard to say. It was only a short time ago that the Education Board and Newton East School Committee combined, showed their talent in the most erratic behaviour, and now we hare the Harbor Board—or rather certain members of it—trying to undo their own action, endeavoring to rescind a resolution passed by them but recently, and why ? Prom what we can learn, Mr J. M. Clark discovered that the testimonials of all the applicants for the position of Calliope Dock Engineer had not been read by members of the Board, and he thought that the resolution appointing Mr Errington should be rescinded. It was in vain—as far as Mr Clark was concerned —that the Chairman pointed but that every member of the Board bad had ample time and opportunity to read the testimonials sent in, and if they had not. done so, it was their omission, and the fault could not be laid to any other person's door. Mr Clark persiated that they had not been read and thought that the resolution of appointment should be rescinded to enable this to bo done. We must give those members of Auckland bodies credit for the worthiest of motives, and quite believe thatthey are actuated purely by a " sense of duty," and a " recognition of the grave responsibilities of their positions ; " but stilt we would point out that to save the reputations of these " public men " —from a common sense point of view—they should fully make up their minds before carrying resolutions, and not make themselves the " laughing stock " of the comv munity by endeavoring at their meetings to undo that which they have done at a previous one. It was but a poor compliment to pay the members of the Harbor Board for the immaculate Mr Clark to say that, "it looked as if the thing had been arranged;" but let us hope that his tongue outran his discretion, and that he really could not have meant what he said. Were we not thus.charitably disposed, or rather were we to put ourselves in his place, aud alluw our pen to become an >

unruly member, we might say all sorts of rash things, which, although uncharitable, would perhaps arise, if our imagination assisted a desire to speak harshly of mankind. However, no evil was done; the Harbor Board, very sensibly, held to the resolution it had carried, but the action taken cannot have elevated the opinion held of certain of its members.