Untitled

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 811, 28 August 1877, Page 2

Wellington, "Saturday night. (From the •' Herald V -Special Correspondent.) •"?•_-. THE LIBEL- ON- MR WHITAKER. Mr George Jones, jr, the proprietor of the V Oamaru Mail,'. is the hero of the hour. He has been formally introduced to the Sergeant-atrAnas, Major Paul, as the political prisoner that is to be, and to be placed uucler the control Of that suave and gentlemanly mannered old .soldier. When- Mr Jones (who was, even m executing his most exquisit^fiddling fantasia, never so famous as now) came within the precincts. . of the House on Saturday,, there, was much inquiry among lords' and tion. .members as .to which was' hie. A wag pointed out pne of.Mr.Macandrew's sons who had arrived m the same steamer, and the inquirers departed satisj&ed that they had seen the immortal George. Now that Jones is caught, the House finds a difficulty m answering the question, " What shall we do with him ?" It is said that the House is iiow a little sorry at its own precipitancy. . Some persons have been to Jones, asking him to quietly apologise and let the matter end. Jones replied '-that he wouldn't apologise., He was told ' that the land which had been bought some years ago (some;200,(J00. acres) was handed over to Government, and he has been shown that the article is a gross* libel both on the priyate and public oharacter of the Attorney-General. But stilf lie refuges to apologise or withdraw. And then there is the eclat, the notoriety, and people egging him on. Such is his present frame of mind, but what he may do when at the bar is another question. I saw John Martin (" General John Martin, of the Wairarapa Cavalry," as he^labelled hisj trunks when : last passing . through the United States, where he was feted by the many colonels of ' that military lahd| bnt could not possibly stay the next day if there was a militia review on)r—l saw "Johnnie" before the bar for some rubbishy little offence against privilege. . He was pale ai his own snowy vest; his tongue had that . dry • rattle m his mouth which nervous excitement occasions, and it was with "difficulty he could articulate the few sentences of apology which his lawyer for, a( . consideration had written out for him. Jones is to have no lawyer, but I fancy just forfun and devilment, with perhaps a little bit of partizanship, he will find no lack of advocates m the House. I hear that the Speaker has alrea ly arranged with Mr Reynolds, the Chairman of| the House?. Committee, to supply Ml*' Jones with meals and attendance, medical and other , comforts, m the shape of liquor, for 30s a week from Bellamy's. Mr Jones will be visited m his* captivity and affliction by sympathising friends, and he- does not seem very /chapfallen at the prospect. .