Evening Post 05 Sep 1882

A lively account of a side scene which occurred during the recent visit of the deputation from the Ratepayers’ Reform Association to the City Council was given by Mr Petherick at a meeting of the Association last evening. Summoning him to a side room apart from the rest of the deputation, by one of the Corporation messengers, Councillor Allen said – “I want to tell you, ‘If anyone accuses that young man that is appointed as inspector for the Wainui-o-mata tunnel, saying that he is an inexperienced person, they tell a lie.’” This having evoked a somewhat incredulous laugh from the members of the Association present, Mr Petherick assured them that he was giving them the words just as they were uttered. He (Mr Petherick) was so surprised that he thought it was his duty to tell them. “I told Councillor Allen,” continued Mr Petherick, “it was reported that the person appointed was inexperienced.” “He has fourteen years’ experience,” retorted Councillor Allen. “But he didn’t name where,” said Mr Petherick to the members of the association, all breathless to hear the upshot of the scene. “I tell you, continued Councillor Allen. “that he is as steady and respectable a young man as is to be found in New Zealand, and he is my son, and anybody who says he is not fit to be placed over those works is a liar.” Councillor Allen brought the interview to an abrupt conclusion by reproaching Petherick for having anything to do with the association. “And it was for this,” said the orator pathetically, as he resumed his seat, “that I was called into the clerk’s office away from the deputation, to be thus insulted in the presence of three clerks, and with the gas only half turned on!”