greeted them upon the Praya; and as a private individual, he is a non-entity as regards the Force. Mr. Deane in a private capacity is a gentleman without any more power than that possessed by any other gentleman in the Colony; and in his official capacity, it is his duty to see that his men run no unnecessary risk. It is very sad to think that a number of fellow creatures should perish without a hand being lifted to save them, but there is no excuse for risking the lives of one lot of men to try and save those of another. Our evening contemporary speaks of an enquiry being instituted into Captain Deane's conduct during the night of the typhoon, and if it is thought that anything particular will be gained by so doing, we cannot see that any great objection can exist to an investigation; but whilst we feel sure that it will be noteworthy for every element of justice being present in its prosecu. tion, we feel confident that nothing adverse to Captain Deane will come of it.
Both of our contemporaries in speaking of Captain Deane's inaction, lay great stress upon the absence of personal cowardice on the part of this gentleman but why they should be so particular upon this point, somewhat puzzles us, for, so far as we know, a doubt of the Captain Superintendent of Police's courage has never even been hinted at; and any supposition of the sort is so utterly absurd, that there was not the least necessity to bring the subject forward.
To such an enquiry as it is said is taking place there is one objection of sufficient importance to be taken into consideration, and this is, an unpleasant feeling will very likely be created within Captain Deane's breast for which, we consider, there is not the slightest necessity. It is scarcely the very best thing to do to create an official and then insult him; however light may be the slur cast upon him. If it is considered by His Excellency that the chief of our Police was guilty of a mistake when he refused to imperil the lives of the men under him, an order laying down what is to be done in the future, would be quite sufficient to meot every requirement.
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