LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 289, 26 May 1875, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

REMOVAL OF SERGEANT CASSELS. To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sjk,—Tn a late issue of your paper, I see an oIJ public servant, Sergeant Cassels. is to be permanently removed from this district to Dunerlin. As an old resident in the Cromwell district, I can sav that Sergeant Cassels his performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of '.he people, and it is with regret that they hear he is about to be withdrawn from amonyst them. It is to be hoped the authorities will see the necessity of still leaving him where his services •ire so highly appreciate'! by the public at large. The career of Sergeant Cassels is well known in this district for years past, and his removal would be much deplored.—l am, &c, An Old Resident.

To the Editor of the Cromwell Annus. Sir.—ln your issue of 12th current, signed a " Resident," a letter appears on the contemplated removal of Sergeant Cassels from this district, which is very ra«ch regretted. From his eatiy and long residence, it is questionab'e, ' in the discharge of his duties, whether since the passing of Sir Robert Peel's Bill, a more efficient officer could he found to compare with him in ' carrying out its objects. His keen observance of character, intimate knowledge of the hedity, combined with calm and impartial aihmnistra- | tion of the duties of his offhe. has given him great moral power in this neighbourhood. II is , valuable services, 1 trust, will be retained for [ the welfare of the district.—l am, &c, ; Observer. 5 Kavarau Gorge, May 24, 1876. „

MR JOHNSTON 1, AN D THE MAYOR: To the Editor of the Cromwell Arouhl Sir,—ln your issue of the 19th instant, in the report of the proceedings of the Municipal Council, I find the following :•—" The Mayor explained the reason why Mr Wilson had been consulted by the Corporation instead of Mr Johnston, the Corporation solicitor. The latter gentleman had been requested to confer with the Mayor and Finance Committee re waterworks ; he put oif several times ; wished any proposals from the Council to be in writing ; and wrote a letter to him (the Mayor) which he considered most insulting to him as head of the Corpora* tion." My object in now writing is simply to put before the public that the statements made with regard to my conduct are without one single particle- of foundation. On the 4th instant, I accidentally met the Mayor in the street, when he aocosted me, stating that something had taken place at the previous meeting of the City Council which would require my opinion, when I made the remark, "1 presume 1 shall receive proper instructions from your Town Clerk," to which the Mayor replied, " Yes," and we parted ; and I heard nothing whatever on the subject until the morning of the 7th instant, when the interview in the street,'referred to in my letter of that date to the Mayor, occurred. I send you herewith a copy of my letter to the Mayor, and am quite content to leave it to He opinion whether the doctrines enunciated on my part are not such as any man of business in Cromwell must endorse. If his Worship the Mayor can point out what portion of that letter is insulting to him as head of the Corporation, I shall be much indebted to him. I presume it is the last paragraph which he considers insulting because he knows it to be true, and feels that my assertion that it is true will carry some weight with it.—l am, &c, Wm. Johnston. Cromwell, 21st May, 1875. [copy letter referred to.] Cromwell, 7th May, 1875. Dear Sir, —This morning at 10.50 a.m., you requested me to accompany you to Mr Coldough's office, to give my opinion upon certain water rights which you stated the Corporation proposed to purchase, at the same time stating that the matter must be closed to-day. I declined to do so, upon the double grounds that I was specially engaged at the R. M .'s Court, and could not then absent myself from the Court ; and also upon the ground that I declined to receive verbal instructions or give a verbal opinion upon -such' a matter. Judging from the newspaper report of what occurred at the last meeting of the City Council, the questions and interests involved in the matter referred to are most onerous and important, and having still the honor to bo Corporation solicitor, I distinctly decline to be rushed into such a matter without a moment's notice or preparation, and beg that the City Council wi'l distinctly understand thit in mitters of impor ance I must be consulted in writing, and be allowed reasonable time to give a well-considered opinion in writing. At our interview this morning, you stated that you had previously requested me to wait upon you relative to this matter, but I then and now distinctly deny the coirectness of your statement. —Your* faithfully, .Wm. Johnston. D. A, Jolly, Esq., Mayor, Cromwell.