VAGARIES OF A SCIOPTICON.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 193, 24 May 1878, Page 3

VAGARIES OF A SCIOPTICON.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sir, —As I know a little about the " vagaries of a sciopticon," corn plained of by Mr Crotty in your issue of the 14th issue, will you allow me, for the sake of all concerned, to make a friendly explanation in reply ? But first. I would say, that Mr Wiggins is so well known amongst us, as to raise him above the suspicion of a discourteous act towards us ; and Mr Crotty would not, I am cure, attribute the disappointment complained of to any discourteousness on the part of Mr Wiggins, however he might be puzzled to account for his non-appear-ing. The fact of his offering to go lo Le Bon's Bay at all, after having broken ten pounds' worth of slides on his last visit there for some local purpose, is a sufficient reply to any hard thoughts that may have arisen about this disappointment.

The note appended to this letter is also incorrect, as Mr Wiggins did know of the announcement, having had it read to him before the messenger received it, to whom it was also said that, should Mr Wiggins be unable to go, due notice would be sent.

The fact is, it was at my request that Mr Wiggins kindty consented to exhibit the sciopticon at Le Bon's ; and to enable him to do so, I promised to lend him a horse, and to help him to carry the burden over the hills. But finding afterwards that, owing to necessary collateral arrangements, three full days of my time must be sacrificed, and this wholly apart from my own duties, I was obliged to send him word that I could not possibly accompany him ; and he did not think it prudent, being unable, I suppose, to carry all, to go without me. Mr Wiggins is quite clear of all blame in the matter. Nor am I responsible for the disappointment, as I wrote a notice to this effect, and sent it in more than ample time for the Le Bon's mail in early week, with the special written request to let the school children. know, through their master, that all possible dis-' appointment might be avoided. But for some reason this letter did not reach Le Bon's until the end of the week ; where the blame lies I cannot say. This is not the first disappointment I have experienced through delay of letters, as I have sometimes sent notices to Okain's, and to other bays, eight days or so before my intended visit, and have paid my announced visit before the notices arrived by post. The matter, I hope, is clear now.

Should any enquire after my name, they will learn it at your office. In the mean-time,-I am, Sir, yours, &c, f . ■ • HIEKEUS.

Mfy16,1878,