Page 2 Advertisements Column 1

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1018, 6 December 1883, Page 2

[advertisement ] WAKANUI RIVER PROTECTION. [to THE EDITOR OF THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.] glß —ln your report of the meeting of the Ashburton County Council last week, you represent me as heading and being spokesman for a deputation from Wakanui re,the river question. Now, this I distinctly deny—-but I would not have taken any notice of the matter under ordinary circumstances —only I have special reasons just now for contradicting it. 1 went to Ashburton on that day and went to/ the Council Chambers at once. I think it was a little after one o’clock. Mr Baxter, told me in the map room that there was.a deputation from Wakanui in earlier in the day, and that it was to interview theCbuncil at 2 30. This was the first Ihad heard of a deputation. This was just about the time the Council was adjourning for luncheon. I met the members of the deputation afterwards on the street, but there was not a single word as to the sentiments the deputation were about to lay before the Council that I can recollect. Certainly not one word as to my being one of the'deputation, or as to my being their spokesman. I went back to the Council at 2.30 as the members were returning from lunch. After the members went in, Mr McFarlane partially opened the door, when X asked him if I could be admitted. Ho said he would see. He then returned, at once and said yes. and the deputation from Wakanui was then invited to enter. I was at once introdu ed to the Chairman as the Wakanui deputation. 1 will now give you the words verbatim that I did say :-1 began by saying that I did not appear as a deputation as 1 was not deputed by any person, nor was X acting in concert with any one, nor was I there to make a statement. 1 had just come in to ask a few questions for the purpose of getting information re the river question. X went on to say that as they were aware that a petition had been drawn up and sent round the district by the Council, which was numerously signed for the purpose of getting the Council the powers conferred by theOanterbury Rivers Act, and that I understood that at the last meeting of the Council there were two counter-petitions, and in one of them asking to have their names withdrawn from the original petition. What I wanted to know was-whether these counter-petitions were withdrawn, or if the Council meant to take any action on the original petition, and how the matter stood at present with regard to the river question—if there was likely to be anything done. I then went on to say that there was another thing I wished to mention, viz,, that 1 had been falsely accused, .and the falsehood had been industriously circulated all over the district'that I was opposed to the water supply, and that I had appeared at the Council hfcbpposition to it, and had even tried to influence individual members. .I, explained that the Council could bear me out in saying that I had never appeared before that body, nor spoken to auy member of it bn the subject; that I was strongly in favor of the water supply and always had been, and I felt sure every eoe in the district was the same, but that the wafer-race had not been a success, and that I thought it was clear to any intelligent observer that there never could be an efficient water supply from the river without river protection, and that to be reliable the two must go together. Now, Sir, theme are the exact words I used at the Council. Now, Sir, 1 have been charged with acting in collusion with Brbvrh Brothers and others with regard to letting the water go through their land. Nothing could be more untrue, as <• never interfered in any way. There are many other , things said about the same matter, which' aVo' equal’y untrue. It has been said that the deputation appeared at the Oouqci] Tor the purpose of. opposing the water scheme, which is wrong. But when I attempted to explain or deny on Saturday, I was at once met with the newspaper reports. Bad you reported fully what I said at the Council you would have saved me a considerable amount of pain, and the ill-feeling, which has naturally prevailed in this district would not have occurred to such an extent as it now has, and I did hope my accuser would have been presebt at the same time. Yours, etc., 12 1009 DAVID WIL ON. pCBL I O NOTICE. 2,000 "iff 2,000 f • at Thomas F. Farley’s BOOK & STATIONERY DEPOT, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton. Libraries, Sunday Schools, etc , receive from above (T.F.F.) greater discount than la obtainable either in Christchurch or Dunedin. An inspection is solicited. Christmas cards in great variety, prizj books, religious and secular works. . THOMAS F. FaRLEY. D I R ‘BH3 T IMPORTS R -wl or: ■ Books And Stationary, ASH BUR lON. 1041