THE KAIAPOI MEMORIAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 686, 4 June 1859, Page 4

THE KAIAPOI MEMORIAL.

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, —As I observe that you . have published another version of Mr. Frazer's statement in reference to the Kaiapoi memorial, I shall feel obliged if you will publish the enclosed note, which I have just received from Mr. Dobbs; and permit me to draw the attention of your readers to the letters from Messrs. Frazer, Wylde, and Robinson, which appear in Thursday's 'Standard.*' But for the comments of the Editor of the .'Standard,' I should have been content to leave the matter to the judgment of the public, and should have felt satisfied that the.distinct denial in writing of all the parties said to be concerned in the preparation of this memorial would have been sufficient to convince any unprejudiced person,-when'weighed against Mr. Frazer's evidence. I have a right, I think, to complain that the ex parte statement of a person standing as Mr. Frazer did before the Bench in his own defence should be received and published, and that the Bench of Magistrates should have framed their resolutions in words which implied '.their belief in it (a statement made, if lam to believe the 'Standard,' in suchaform as to be almost a libel upon myself) without affordding the parties implicated in it an opportunity of vindicating; themselves. ■

Under other circumstances, I should have cared very little about the matter, but the object of the 'Standard' appears to be an .attempt to cast a stigma upon me, not in my private capacity, but as a member of the Government; he would impute an act which, if well founded, would in that capacity be highly reprehensible. Happily my part in this business is clearly shown in the correspondence. The memorial, when placed ip my hands was past preparation ; it was completed and fully signed ; it was accidentally shown to me as a document intended to be sent to the Superintendent. I read it, and remarked that its language was objectionable ; and I warned the person who showed it to me that his Honor could not receive it; and I added, moreover, that all complaints against the conduct of the Magistrates ought to be sent to his Excellency's Government and not to the Superintendent. But, seeking to repress unnecessary warmth, I marked the objectionable passages with my pencil,, and handed it back to the memorialists, who, however, did not think proper to adopt my suggestions. The same paper, unaltered, with my pencil marks upon it, partially effaced only, was subsequently sent to me to be handed to the Superintendent. . Apologising, for troubling you with these brief remarks upon a subject which is, Ibelieve, of less interest to your readers than to myself, I have the honor, &c. J. OLLIVIER. [Enclosure.] Daar Sir, Your son has called my attention to a report in the 'Canterbury Standard,'"of the 2fsth inst., imputing to Mr. Frazer a charge against yourself of having been concerned in preparing and-writing a memorial, reflecting on the bench of magistrates for censures passed on Mr. Frazer, at the court at Kaiapoi. Other reports also state that Mr. W>lde, you, and myself retired to a private room to revise the memorial. I readily accede to his request that I should address a letter to you, contradicting this statement. Tho memorial was shown to ynu. in my presence, ns a document about to be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, and you objected to the course, proposed altogether; but in particular to some sentences which, to the best of my racollect'on, were marked on the memorial in pencil. I believe that the memorial, as shown to you, was forwarded without adopting your suggestions. . With regard to the construction pnt upon our retiringtoa private room for luncheon, I can only sayj that, with the exception of a remark from one or two. who took an interest in the matter, 1 heard nothing at all respecting the memorial there. I remain, dear Sir, A. A.'DOBBS. Kaiapoi, 30th May, 1859. ~