AN EXPLANATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 237, 25 October 1878, Page 2

AN EXPLANATION.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail. Sir,—l think,it in justice due to young Lelievre and Armstrong, to explain "that I do not affirm that either of them was the culprit .who struck me last Sunday night. The matter is as yet only under investigation. I may say, however, that there is evidence to prove that Lelievre said he knew who did the deed ; but would not discover it. It remains to be seen whether he will so far identify himself with the assault as to conceal the criminal. I may also say that Lelievre told myself that Prosper o ßorland had said in his hearing I was struck. That was a few minutes after the assault. It remains to be seen how Borland had come to this knowledge. The clue to the guilty is thus in the hands of the police, and it in pretty certain they will follow up their advantage. Tlieje is another misdemeanour connected with this business, viz., disturbing public worship, nol only in the church, but outside, through one of the windows. Two boys, or young men perhaps, rather, went out of church, and two were seen at one of the windows annoying the people inside. Ido not affirm these couples were the same ; hot the affair looks very suspicions. It case our young gentlemen do not know" it, I hereby warn them, that disturbing the public worship of God isan offence punishable by law, as well as a. most indecent irreverent tiling in itself. They had better confine their pranks hereafter to places more used with and litted for such things.

In conclusion, I think it right to say that I am not actuated by any feeling of grudge or revenge, far from it; ami prosecution did not enter my mind till the authorities took the matter up. lam exsorry that any of our youth should so f.-vr forget themselves as to olfcr me such an impudent and cowardly insult. I acquiesce ii> the prosecution solely in the interest or the yomig, themselves; their parents, if so he, they may exercise a little more control ovor their children, and in the interest of many in the town who are actually afraid to go out at night for fear of iiisnlt. I may say also-, that I shall not be deterred by riwle insult from doing my duty hereafter as heretofore, when occasion calls for it.—Youis r &c, WAI. DOUGLAS.