THE APPEAL TO THE PROSPECTING ASSOCIATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1619, 5 December 1881, Page 3

THE APPEAL TO THE PROSPECTING ASSOCIATION.

[to the editor.] Sih—As a lover pf fair play, I feel sure you will space for defence in connection with/ charges laid against Ine by Mr W. Morris, one of the members of the Water Supply Committee, at the time he proposed Mr Seddon at Dillman’s Town, After proposing Mr Seddon he went into particulars regarding the application of the Water Supply Committee to the Prospecting Association for the sum of £7 7s 6d in order to enable the Water Supply Committee to pay balance of liabilities incurred sending deputation to Wellington. He said “ The appeal was made to the Prospecting Association, and twelve out of fourteen of the Committee voted the money, there being only two dissentients.” I Urn mentioned as one of the two, which I admit to be correct. I fail to nndeiBtand what other course was open for me to take, I was guided entirely by the deed of association, which gave me to understand all moneys collected for the purpose of prospecting were to be appropriated to that purpose alone and no other. There was a balance of £2O to the credit of the association at the termination of the actual operations, £lO of which belonged to the Government, they having subsidized subscriptions £ for £, Why was the Government ignored in the matter? They are entitled to consideration, seeing they represent half the money in hand. To act in the manner Mr Morris wishes the pnblic to understand I should have acted, I should be guilty of wilful misappropriation of public money, and also of defrauding the Government of £lO by false representations. What little I have had to do in pnblic matter s since I have resided here, I have done it fearlessly, honestly, and to the best of my ability. I presume most people of any intelligence will understand why this subject is brought before the public in the manner it is ; but to those who do not understand, I will tell them it is only one of the mean election dodges some of Mr Seddon’s supporters are resorting to in order to place their man on a better footing with the electors, miners especially. I did not intend taking any prominent part for or against any candidate during the election, but when I am wilfully and maliciously dragged into it, 1 must defend myself. With reference to other shadowy aspersions thrown upon my private character by the same gentleman at the meeting first referred to, they are unworthy of notice, coming from such a source. Apologising for trespassing on your space—l am, yoUrs, &c., David Williams. Kumara, December 5, 1881.