THE TEMPERANCE PRESS.

Evening Star, Issue 4267, 30 October 1876, Page 2

THE TEMPERANCE PRESS.

To the Editor.

Sib,—Permit me to reply to the letter o i Mr John Mackay appearing in your last evening's issue, which he avows he penned with the view of letting bis friends and' the public know the exact position, &c. Mr Mackay, while telling part of the truth, ' neglects to tell the "whole truth," and thereby fails to make good bis intention.: I will then, with your permission, supply a few of the more important omissions for the sake of perspicuity. Omitted fact Ist. The proprietor of the ' Liberator' notified to the first directors that he had withdrawn from. all negotiations with them, and refused to entertain any offer made to him. "2nd. The ' original eompany agreed that operations could not be. commenced bef ore January even if negotiations could be completed. 3rd. The proprietor of the ' Advocate' withdrew from the negotiations of the first company, before any contract was made with nim. 4th. The proprietor of the 'Advocate,' privately stated to a member of thedipec- . tory, that he had withdrawn from said company and was going to form another company to purchase" his paper and issue > weekly. sth. He two days " afterwards sold his right to and interest \ in the 'Advocate' to a gentleman for,the v purpose of-establishing a company for the amalgamation of the two temperance papers and issuing a weekly. 6th; He, together with the gentleman .to whom he had Bold the ' Advocate,' called upon a few friends of the cause, asking them to take shares and, forma new company. 7th.' Before these friends , agreed to do so tbey distinctly asked whether withdrawn from all negotiations with the previous company, wheiTTie "' answered he had. Bth. At the request of these two gentlemen a meeting was held, when it was ascertained that the last offers of the old directory bad been refused by the proprietors of both papers. 9th. It'was then resolved, after a full discussion of the subject, to. form a fresh company on a new basis, seeing that the efforts of. the old one had been frustrated. Under this new arrangement the proprietor of the 'Advocate' accepted the office of secretary. 10th. This company had placed before them the document of agreement, which sold the 'Advocate ' to the above-mentioned gentleman. They accepted it, the former proprietor being a party to the purchase. 11th. The . agreement allowed seven clear days for 'the completion of arrangements, and within the. stipulated time the company gave notice to the proprietor that they were .prepared to complete the transaction; but, instead of meeting with a fulfilment of the contract, they learned that pressure had been brought to bear, and that the paper had passed into the hands of Mr Mackay, althongh that party knew well the state of matters with the organised company. 12th. Rather than that any unpleasantness should arise, overtures were made to Mr Mackay for the purchase of the ' Advocate,' who expressed ids willingness to sell, if his friends would " permit. 13th. Mr Mackay having consulted his friends, intimated to the. company that he declined to sell. 14th. The company" having taken every means to secure the ' Advocate,' but being met at every : step ~.; with want of integrity, changefulness,. ana g " opposition, then determined to proceed to ' publish the 'Temperance. Times'without - further molesting the 'Advocate,' which was * duly notified in the .papers.— I am, &c.; SeORETAKY »N. Z. TBMKBBAHCB „,, ' Company* : , ;'. Dunedin, October 271 .■'..!<