A PECULIAR AFFAIR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 910, 1 September 1910, Page 4

A PECULIAR AFFAIR.

AUTHORSHIP OF A LETTER. ' Recently in tho House of Eepresenfcatives Mr. J. B, Hine, M.P. for Stratford, made certain statements regarding tho difficulties • Taranaki ' applicants for land for settlement sections have in getting to tho ballots, because they were not in possession of suSicient funds to meet the requirements of tho Land Board. Following this, two letters denying the truth of the statement appeared in the "New Zealand Times," one over the signature "Joseph M'Cluggage," the other signed "Edward Fincham," both being dated from Stratford, August 23. The writer of the latter epistle said he understood Mr. Hine hud used his nainu as being one of the persons who applied for land at Huiauga Special Settlement, aud that, ho was in the possession of .£SOO. The writer concluded:—"l wish to say for myself and friend that we never applied for land, and Mr. Hine has no authority in using my name." Mr. Bine naturally was very much astonished to see such a letter, reflecting on his character, published over Mr: Fincham's name. Two days later the mystery deepened, when (on August 27) Mr. Hine received the following telegram from Stratford:-- . ■. '...'■.

"No knowledge of letter in 'Times' over my signature.—Fincham."

Last night, Mr. Hine. received a letter frum ,Mt. Fincham. ■ In this letter, Mr. I'inch'am says he was astonished on his arrival in Stratford on Saturday to hear that a letter over his signature had appeared in the "New Zealand Times." He could not credit it until he had seen the letter for himself. He adds:—"l could quite understand your feelings on the matter, and probably your doubts of myself, foe-leaving friendship out. of the question—it is not the act of a man to publish a gross lie, or rather part of a lie, because part of the.letter is true that states that I never applied for land. However,-it'is a dirty business, and- I should like to"find out the s author.of it, for I can.assure you ,1 can -solemnly swear before my God that I.; know nothing whatever ' about . the V letter.,: that ippeared in the. .'Times' on-.the. 35th, lioi to" mj knowledge hsie. 1. signed any paper or. document <th<it- coitld be Used up into'a letter." ...

'■ The question now arises as to /where the letter came s from, and : who signed Sir. .Hricham's name-to, it.''"'■:. ' "■