A VINDICATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1969, 3 January 1907, Page 2

A VINDICATION.

To the Editor of the Gisborne Times. Sir, —My attention was drawn to tlie remarks made (by your Awanui correspondent in ypur issue of November 17th. Exaggerating the story of an encounter of two .young men, who wore settling their differences with their fists* (such a heinous crime!), making it out to appear even “worse” than the aijts of a proven blackguard and criminal at Awanui, for which he was justly punished with “six months.” It is true that a comparatively recent arrival “had been dragging his coat tails around,” hence the affair. Wherever it may happen, a fight or an accident soon gathers a small crowd. It takes considerable time to gather one hundred, even fifty, or the half of that again in this township. There are always black sheep in every flock. Even without a local policeman, this place has borne a good name in the past, and why Because the Maoris themselves are law-abiding and have maintained order and can still do so, and deal with their own petty cases themselves. On this occasion Hori Mahac, a leading native, immediately stopped the light, which had scarcely begun, when lie arrived on the scene; the only real offence being, that it happened to have taken place on one of the so-called streets, which thanks to the numerous cows at large, is kept fairly open. On the strength of this, a mountain is made of a molehill. It is evident the information given to your Awanui correspondent was not from a reliable source, certainly not the fact. Possessing as wo do a scribe of our own also “a correspondent,” wo might surely be allowed to recount the wonders tluyt happen in this little place, without having to go to Awanui for the nows.—l am, etc., E. 11. lIENDEKSON. Te Araroa, December 27, 1900.