“SINGULAR LETTER.”

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2492, 1 April 1882, Page 3

“SINGULAR LETTER.”

To the Editor of the Olohe.

Sib, —Under the above heading you publish, amongst your telegraphic news of yesterday, a letter which appeared in the “ New Zealand Times ” in reference to the exhibiting of pictures at the coming Exhibition. Permit me, therefore, to say a few words in explanation.

My letter to Mr Brandon, re representation of hi.< exhibits, has evidently been misconstrued, in a manner, grossly affecting my character and reputation.

When Mr E. 8. Walpole, secretary to the Exhibition, was in Wellington last week, he was asked by many intending exhibitors how they could get their exhibits looked after. He kindly took the opportunity to recommend me as a fit person to act as their representative.

Oa his return hero he gave me the names of several intending exhibitors, to whom I wrote in A similar strain to Mr Brandon. I naturally began by mentioning my brother, who bad spoken to them about me, and whose position was to a certain extent my introduction. In asking a fee of five guineas, if I should obtain a first order of merit for their exhibits, I never dreamed that Mr Brandon could suppose that this was the price of unfair influence through my brother. (If I had, I should indeed have been very foolish to make so disgraceful a proposition in writing to perfect strangers.) My meaning is this. The decision of juries is and must be largely influenced by the way in which exhibits are brought before them, properly explained, &?,, and an inducement of five guineas gives the exhibitor a pretty strong guarantee that his interests will be properly looked after. For an exactly similar reason I charge 10 per cent, on sales, the principle being payment by results.

Yours, ks., B. H. WALPOLE, Agent for various exhibits.