AN EXPLANATION.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 212, 2 August 1878, Page 6

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THB EDITOR,

Sir, — In your last weeks issue a local appears relative to two smart captures made in this district by Constable Warring of Balclutha, which are so utterly untrue, and which may be the means of doing a wrong to one of the parties, that I now beg to lay before you the facts in both cases.

In a recent publication when you mentioned the capture of a man who was on board the " Good Templar," you stated that " Constable Warring after geting a boat and being pulled several miles down the river, got on board the vessel just as her sails were set, and in the act of leaving the harbour." The sails were set 'tis true, but it was only to dry them, as the vessel was at anchor and did not leave the harbour for five days after the event, so much for the truth of No. 1 capture.

In your last weeks issue the capture of Robert Lees is set forth in a very unfair manner. You state that, "he made a determined attempt to elude the vigilance of the police, and that Constable Warring bagged his game in the bush three miles beyond Catlins River." The truth is that Robert Lees was simply paying a visit to his father's house, where his wife and family had been staying some time. Upon the constable coming to the house and asking for Robert Lees, the father called upon his son who was sleeping in an adjoining room, and told him that he was wanted. He immediately came into the room where the constable was, and shortly after went with Mm to the hotel, where a horse was procured for Robert Lees, and they then proceeded te Balclutha.

Now Mr Editor, the foregoing are the

facts in both cases, and trusting in your spirit of fair play, you will I hope, correct the wrong impression which your last week's local has given rise to, viz. , that Robert Lees was trying to elude the vigilance of the police. — I am, &c. , A Lover of Truth. Catlins River, July 30, 1878. [Note. — We have somo more correspondence on this subject, which, however, it better unpublished. Our information warcceived from a. gentleman in no way con's nected v/ith the Police. V/e supposed is was some digger or other character who had bolted from Tuapeka. Had we I known who the party was, the paragraph should certainly not have found a place in | the Leader. — En. C.L.]