THE WATER-RIGHT QUESTION

Dunstan Times, Issue 215, 8 June 1866, Page 3

THE WATER-RIGHT QUESTION

AX BUTCHEu’S GULLY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUNSTAK TIMES. Sir, —I blush to think that I live in a district in which men are to be found who utterly ignore all obligations to act honorably in matters bearing upon a public •question. Untruthful statements in minor matters are highly reprehensible, but immeasurably so when publicly made, and having reference to the direct intei'ests of a large portion of the community. I wish most unhesitatingly to state that Messrs. Jones and Chappie, at their late interview with his Honor the Superintendent, respecting the water-rights at Con--1 fully _ and intentioHal-y p.-rvert the truth, and I ■deem myself bound to bear out my assertions by placing before the public the universal opinion of the inhabitants of Alexandra and the surrounding districts upon the subject. Some few days past a public collection was made to raise funds, for the purpose of sending a deputation to Dunedin, to urge upon the Government the claims of Alexandra, and to procure a resident Warden for the district. Messrs. Chappie and Finlay were appointed delegates, and at once proceeded on their mission. Since their departure the Dunedin papers arrived, giving a report of the interview between Messrs. Chappie and Jones and the Superintendent, the report in question s' o .ving that so mai y mis statements had been made by the deputation caused so much irritation of feeling that a public meeting was called at the Royal Mail Hotel, on Friday night last, when Mr. Sandison was appointed to at once proceed to Dunedin and take the place of Mr. Chappie, a telegraphic message being in the meantime sent on, forbidding him to take any further action in regard to the deputation. The meeting was perfectly conscious that Mr. Chappie had erred in the performance of his previous mission, ■and fee ing that his Honor the Superintendent would be disinclined to place any reliance upon his (Mr. Chappie’s) statements, adopted this expedient. The position occupied by Mr. Chappie ns a delegate with Mr. Jones was purely a mercenary one, and as a paid servant he doubtless was expected to do his utmost to forward the interests of the cause he espoused. On being taxed by me with having misstated the position of the creek-workers to the Government, Mr. Chappie, without hesitation, stated that he had been employed and paid as a delegate, and therefore, at all hazards, was bound to make statements best calculated to secure his ■cause. This conversation took place at Messrs. Finlay’s store, Mr. Chappie being Arvaged procuring signatures to a petition appointment of a Warden for, and which petition I refused *lo sign, doubting the genuineness of MrJ Chappie’s intentions. | My refusal was met by Mr. Chappie,' who replied, “When I take a case in hand I always make the best of it, and had I been employed by you I should have as strongly urged your cause, although frorn a different point of view.” I answeredj “ Any member of a deputation should to personally interested in the cause he advocated.” 1

Such, sir, are the real facts of the case, and the report of the meeting of the creek workers at Butcher's and Conroy's Gullies which appeared in your last issue must satisfactorily demonstrate that our interest is a not unimportant one, and is worthy of some consideration from the Government. I am, (fee, James O. Kane. Butcher's Gully. 26th May, 1866.