Bingham not Acted Fairly

Original Correspondence. A Mystery

Australasian Chronicle Sydney

30 June 1840

Mr. Editor

Allow me to ask if it is as Justice of Peace, or as Commissioner of Crown Lands, that Mr. Bingham "requests by particular desire" a meeting of the inhabitants of the district of Tumut and the vicinity, on the 6th July next.

The notice calling a meeting being dated "Head Quarters, Tumut River," a portion of the public is of opinion that it is as commissioner he calls the meeting; and from the terrible letters, J.P., being attached to his name, there are others who think it is as a magistrate the notice is put forward by Mr. Bingham; while there is a third party who suppose the meeting is called by him in his double capacity of J.P. and commissioner.

And allow me to ask, likewise, at whose "particular desire" it is that Mr. Bingham has called the meeting?

Some there are who will have it that it is by the particular desire of a gentleman who resides not one hundred miles from the Tumut, whose generosity and hospitality, even to bishops, are themes of general encomium, and whose family and himself are all methodists.

Others, again, are impressed with the idea that it is by "the particular desire" of Bishop Broughton the meeting has been called.

Be this as it may, Mr. Bingham has not acted fairly, for by the nature of his advertisement it would appear that he calls a meeting in his official capacity.

Are there no other duties marked out for commissioners of crown lands beyond the limits, than calling meetings for sectarian purposes?

Fair Play.