THE MACRAES REEF.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2629, 21 July 1871, Page 3

THE MACRAES REEF.

To the Editor. ■

—Having addressed a letter on this subject to both the editors of the Otago Daily Times and Southern League, which they have not inserted—the reasons for which I leave the public to form its own conclusions- -I now crave, in the interests of truth, a space for it in the columns of your valuable issue. I understand that on Friday last, the 14th t inst., Mr Bathgate, in his place in the Provincial Council, in replying to a motion brought forward by Mr M‘Kenzie to the effect “That a sum of money be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to enable Mr William Imerie to further prospect the reefs at Macraes,” deliberately stated that to bis (Mr Bathgate’s) personal knowledge Mr Imerie had never paid one farthing of the rents mentioned in Mr M’Kenzies state"SU sir, I beg to give this reply of jMr Bathgate an unqualified contradiction, and to state that I have paid the whole of those rents, and that I have receipts in my possession showing such to be the fact. I shrewdly suspect, however, that the reason of Mr Bathgate’s determined opposition is owing to his having, with others, now secured possession of the plant and claim of the Duke of Edinburgh Company at Macraes, and .he fancies, were 1 put in possession qf funds, 1 might interfere with some plans he himself may have in view ; for T, e is aware that I will not rest until I see those reefs at work again. Be that as it may, I must say that, however antagonistic Mr Bathgate may be to myself, it would betttr have become his position as a legislator—especia'ly in a matter affecting the welfare of the Provincehad he adhered strictly to the truth, instead qf wilfully and deliberately mis-stating and misrepresenting actual facts. Apologising for taking up so much of your apace, I am, &c., William Imerip. Pqncdin, July 20, 187].