DAYS OF TRIAL 317 



Parliament assumed that there had been faults on both sides, and 

 the public conscience was satisfied with a compromise by which the 

 suspension was withdrawn, formal resignations accepted, and sub- 

 stantial compensations voted to the Commissioners for the loss of 

 their well-paid office. It is quite possible as alleged that these 

 officials had become demoralised in the view they took of their duties 

 during the Gillies -Deakin era of extravagance ; but the surrender of 

 the principle, which Mr. Service had established, of independent 

 management of this important source of the colony's revenue courted 

 disaster. The professional expert may have come far short of what 

 was expected of him, but the relapse of control into the hands of 

 astute Parliamentarians accentuated the hopeless muddle and the 

 growing financial loss. 



In addition to these troubles the Premier was oppressed by 

 numerous cabals and the knowledge that his colleagues, with one 

 or two exceptions, were regarded as exceptionally feeble, even for a 

 scratch team. There had been fierce bandying of charges against 

 the Government for not rushing into the Criminal Courts in pro- 

 secution of the Directors of failed companies on ex parte statements. 

 The propriety of Mr. Munro representing the colony in London, 

 while responsibly connected with so many failed institutions, had 

 been angrily discussed. A considerable party, desirous of getting rid 

 of Sir Graham Berry out of local politics, urged the recall of Mr. 

 Munro, and the return of the Treasurer to his old post. Finally, 

 Mr. Shiels, who was not of the robust order, found himself unequal 

 any longer to the strain of office, and wished to resign. When this 

 became known renewed efforts were made to induce Mr. Service to 

 transfer his field of action from the Council to the Assembly, and 

 to lead a fresh coalition. On the plea of advancing age and declining 

 health, Mr. Service remained obdurate, and the Opposition became 

 restless. They recognised that if they allowed Mr. Shiels to resign 

 at the close of the session there might be some sort of reconstruction, 

 probably with Sir Graham Berry as Premier. So it was decided to 

 bring matters to a direct issue, and Mr. J. B. Patterson led the assault. 

 His indictment was decidedly weak, and the complaints he voiced, 

 avowedly on the score of economy, against the appointment of Dr. 

 John Madden as Chief Justice and Professor Pearson as Secretary 



