MR PYKE AND THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 278, 9 March 1875, Page 5

MR PYKE AND THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY.

To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sir, —I observe by the published reports of a speech delivered by Mr MacKeliar at Bannockburu, that, without any sufficient pretext, that gentleman referred to myself in very undignified and uncomplimentary terms. J could pardon this in consideration of the obvious difficulties of his position, and the necessity which he was under of diverting censure from himself. But I cannot so overlook the fact that he had the surprising temerity to assert that he knew my alleged illness during the sitting of the General Assembly to be a mere pretence. Ido not quote his exact phrase, as 1 rind it variously reported, but always to the same effect. Under these circumstances, I now ask you to give insertion to the enclosed correspondence between myself and my medical attendant. And I thus publicly call upon Mr MacKeliar to retract and apologise for his unfounded statements.—l am, Sir, your obedient servantj Vincent Pvke. Dunedin, Feb. 27, 1875. [enclosures.] Dunedin, Feb. 25, 1875. A. J. Fergusson, Esq , M.D., Dunedin. Dear Sir, —Will you be so good as to state in what coudition of health you found me last August, when I availed myself of your professional services ?—Truly yours, Vincent Pyke. Dunedin, Feb. 26, 1875. V. Pyke, Esq. Dear Sir, —In accordance with your request, I beg to state that when you consulted me you were suffering from a painful ulcer of the tongue, which prevented you taking proper food, and thus rendered you very weak. So far as my memory serves me, it was several weeks before you were restored to health.—l am, yours sincerely, A. J. Fergusson, MvD. CORRESPONDENTS' AMENITIES. To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sir,—The other day [ chanced to drop across a copy of the Dunstan Times, (I think the only one that comes to this part of the Range,) and looking over its contents I noticed "From our Cromweil correspondent," and on reading his effusion, I found Mr '"Our Own" in a high state of indignation against various parties. Firstly, the Mayor of Cromwell comes in for a certain amount of abuse ; secondly, the reports of the Banuockburn meeting in the Bruce Herald, etc., are hauled over the coals ; and thirdly, the arrangements of the Cromwell Hospital do not appear to suit his fancy. Since, it seems, the Mayor of Cromwell has not the confidence of the ratepayers, I think that gentleman ought to resign, and I would strongly recommend the Oromweliites to elect a certain individual oi the name of Drury, who I am quite sure is not only capable of carrying out the Waterworks Scheme, but is also capable of bringing in a a urea m of pure Uleiiliv'at, of which I guarantee he could take a fair share, Good Templar though he be. . If a certain individual who gives " value for money" were a woman, I would not be much surprised at rinding "Our Own" magnifying her into the majority of ratepayers, because I would simply say there was love in the question. But since it is a man who gives " value for money," I can come to no other concludon but thau the writer has taken too much " value." 6o the reports of the Bannookburn meeting in the Bruce Herald, etc., were clippings from the Argus and qDnnstan Times, were they! Clever fellow, just about as smart as usual ! Well, I can prove that the reports to the Bruce Herald, etc., were written and posted before the Argus and Dunstan Times containing the reports of the meeting were published, lie also savs there were only two representatives of the Preas present at the said meeting. Well, 1 know of four. Does the min really think that a person must be a broken-.10.vn editor before he can be a representative of the Press ? I could say a good deal mjre, but I am afraid your readers would n sver fo.-give me for taking up more of your valuable spice in noticing a c—ky scribbler to the Dunstan Times.—l am, •'Our Own" to thk Bruce Herald. Carrick Range, Marc i 8, 1575.