MR CHAPMAN DEFENDS HIMSELF.

Evening Star, Issue 3507, 20 May 1874, Page 3

MR CHAPMAN DEFENDS HIMSELF.

To the Editor. Sir, —In giving your report in last evening’s Star of what 1 said at the National Insurance meeting on Monday last, your reporter has so contr ved, through misrepresentation and the insertion of words which 1 never uttered, to make what I said appear extremely ridiculous. For instance, he has inserted the words “ Revenue fund ” instead of “Reserve fund” ; the word “Co lony ” instead of “Company.” Any person who was present will bear out my statements that I never made use of the words “Re venue ” or “ Colony.” I am one of those who support the liberty of the Press, still 1 think it is but right that I should point out to the Press any misstatements which may be made in reporting what took piace at a private meeting. Such statements as you have made me say are calculated to do me far more harm, in the eyes of those who were not at the meeting, than if you had called me a “ Bumble” or some such other libellous word; aud you must know the penalty which the Press has to pay for using such words, I consider I shall be only receiving justice at your hands by having an explanation in tins evening’s Star that you have wrongfully reported me. —l am, &c,, C. R. Chapman. [We deny that Mr Chapman was in any way misreported. The two instances mentioned by him are so palpably typographical errors that we are surprised he should have worked himself into such a passion over such trifles. Lawyer though he be, we must differ with him in his estimate of -what constitutes libel, and take exception to his calling the National Insurance meeting a private one. —Ed. E.S.]