Correspondence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 445, 7 February 1857, Page 6

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir. —With regard to Mr. Brittan's letter which appeared in .last Wednesday's publication, I think that-gentleman has evinced some tact in evading the question on; which he professes to write. He contents himself with simply obsering that " the facts as stated by me are grossly ■Mis-staled ." If this is ■ the ease it would have cpst little trouble to have given a correct version of them, but Mr. Brittan declines to " enter into the "details or merits of the case," and here he has exercised a wise discretion, though some of your readers may perhaps infer from~it that the fads were not mis-stated by me. ■ By way of- quickly putting down the matter, Mr. Brittan adds that. " the question has been twice heard. before an impartial tribunal and judicially decided.." This having been done, of course any • vindication of his acts by himself would hav.e been .as superfluous as it would have been undignified and, inconsistent with his official-position, but Mr. .Brittan omits to explain that ,-the tribunal to which he refers merely decided that it had no jurisdiction. Th« question before it was, whether Mr. Brittan had acted rightly or wrongly, and the Court declined giving an opinion. .Wo one but Mr. Brittan will perceive in such a decision any occasion for triumph.. ;_,'_= Mr.' Brittan's legal right it may be move convenient perhaps to discuss at some other time, but he agseils also his moral right to do what he has done. -This, indeed, may be Mr. Brittan's persuasion. But some people, who#e views of moral rectitude in such transactions may vary from Air, Brittan's, will form opinions of (heir .own, not to be shaken by his simple denial of the-correctness of the statements in my last letter. v « - -' Your obedient Servant, '.".-';'. IL I. CRIDLAND.