The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1883. MR DARGA VILLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 6 August 1883, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1883. MR DARGA VILLE.

The loading actor 011 the Parliamentary stage last week was 'Mi Joseph McMullen Dahgaville, M.H.R, This representative of the people has come to the front very suddenly and for a lew days at least lias the questionable distinction of being talked about more than any other member of the House. In this district lie is comparatively unknown, mid a few biographical details may possibly prove of interest to our readers, Mr Dahgaville is an Irishman, the son oi a Cork physician. At sin early age he sought his fortunes in the colonies, commencing his career in Victoria, He there became a bank clerk, and, rapidly rising in the profession which he had chosen, in % yery few years became a bank inspector, and in this capacity was sent to New Zealand, In this colony lie was very successful, being promoted to the managership of the Auckland branch of tlio Union Bank of Australia, After holding the latter appointment two years he resiped banking in favor of private business, He embarked in the timber and kauri gum industries and created a large and profitable trade. Apparently lie has been a mode! colonist, and previous to his return for the General Assembly at the last election he enjoyed a certain amount of experience as a member of the Auckland Provincial Council; He is a man of good presence, a fluent speaker, and a keen opponent of the party now in power. Mr Dargwille has made himself famous within the last few days by accusing the Premier of taking a bribe of £IO,OOO from the Bunk of New Mpd for helping to pass the Public Debt? 4-ct of 1867 and tho Colonial Treasurer of being an accomplice' in this nefarious trans,action. As the Premier was not q,fc the period referred to a member of either House, '.he attack is evidently, mainly directed against the Colonial Treasurer. The fact that Mr Dargaville is a man with a special knowledge of banking operations lends some force to the chargfl The high pubiic position occupied by Mojor Atkinson "and his unsullied reputation make th.e jndictment, if it be an unfounded one, a most cruel and unjustifiable slander, If, however, the charge can be sustained," Major Atkinson must cease to be the Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand. Apparently there is but little |4Mger of the colony losing his services If Mr Dargaville had a case his friends among l)i§ ,own party, who hate Major Atkinson wit); ajjolyhatred, would back him upright and left, But what do they do? They urge Mr Dargaville to retract and apologise, and from this it would almost appear that, the ex-banker has made a big blunder somewhere and compromised not only himself but his party, He has not availed himself of the opportunity }?e has had of backing out of the dilemma iff which he has placed himself. He must nosy prove his words or take back to Auckland with him the opprobrium which be has sought to lay on the shoulders of another man, It remains yet to be seen whether Mr Joseph McMullen Dargaville is to be regarded as an Auckland hero or an Auckland bully,