MUNICIPAL COAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 846, 31 May 1910, Page 3

MUNICIPAL COAL.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —There is an old proverb, that the man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client, aud this aphorism would appear to be applicable to Mr McMurray if his writing under this head iu yours of Saturday is to be relied on. If this gentleman, by some mode of deduction, which my lack of legal training will not allow me to follow, imagines that by stating that Puponga is admittedly inferior to State coal I have “ placed myself within the power of the law ” there is not the least necessity for him to exercise any forebearance on my behalf. I am quite prepared to face an invocation of this power if Mr McMurray cares to go on with the game. I find that I was, however, wrong in my statement that Cr. Speirs was a shareholder. He is not, and I hasten to withdraw. It was regarding a household coal that I wrote when I made the statement as to the comparative merits of State and Puponga, which has so unfortunately roused Mr McMurray’s ire. It would be interesting to learn just how the sporting offer with which he terminates his letter should be decided, and I should certainly want many more details before depositing any of that capital for which your correspondent suggests I have such a liking. It is interesting to note that Mr McMurray does not attempt to confute any of the points I raised in favour of a municipal coal supply—indeed, his objection seems to be not to municipal coal but to Cr Robinson. To paraphrase the Scriptures, “ The hands are the hands ot McMurray, but the voice is the voice of the dissentients iu the Council.” —I am, etc.,

Percy T. Robinson