CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1146, 16 September 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.-— Replying to Mr J. Golder’s letter in your issue of the 13th! inst., demanding an apology from me, I tail to see that I have in any way made any “incorrect, incomplete, misleading or damaging statements’’ against him in my letter to the Council, which appeared in your issue of the gth inst. Mr Golder asks how his instruments came to be in the possession of the band ? Mr Golder left them in the bandroom for his own convenience the same as other property belonging to him. Why he did not remove them when he resigned from the band I do not know. It is best known to himself why the destroyed articles in question were removed from the bandroom as he (Mr Golder) bad no authority from the committee or trustees of the band property to do so. Why the matter has been brought forth and why hewas refused access to the minute book, for ausvyer I refer him to Rule 24 and 28 of the rules and regulations of the Foxton Borough Brass Band which I will publish if he desires. As to the question re acetylene lamp, kindly motive, etc., I think he is getting away from my letter, to the Council altogether. Re my hurried resignation, I have not yet tendered it, as I shall be guided .by future events. Our worthy bandmaster has intimated his intention of resigning should I do so. As for my “pal” I would like"' to know who or what Mr Golder is referring to. In conclusion I ask him where he received his information regarding , my letter being laughed at by the Councillors at the Council table.--I am, etc., D. Knewstub, Secretary Foxton Band.

_ (To the Editor.) Sik. —Mr Darcy Knewstub hands me the following undated resolution moved by the Band a few months ago, asserting that it implicitly exonerates him from the charge which I and his fellow bandsmen have so conclusively proved against him. Here is the resolution : “Proposed by Mr F. Ebbett and seconded by Mr S. Dudson, that the secretary and the sergeant get the instruments and any band property belonging to the band from Mr J. Golder. Carried.” The motion. I respect. But Mr Knewstub is here commiting a grave digression. Now, Mr Editor, I have the authority of the mover and seconder to fittingly contradict this as an outrageous departure from the statement under consideration, actually checkmating too with two innocent men. This sheets home the weakness of his cause, forsooth! the last resort of a weak aud vanquished opponent. If Mr Knewstub will explain for whatinpocent purpose these broken down instruments, needing repairing, were placed in my possession it would not weary patience. He has the open minute book for his guidance and a pal to help, turn over its leaves, while I,' a trustee, am greedily forbidden the privilege, much to the disgust oi tbe bandsmen and the reasonable thinking public. But, Mr Editor, granting for the moment such to be the wanting resolution connecting the charge is it not an absurdity for it to. haply, “Go ! bring those instruments known by fire destroyed beyond recognition.’* Again, how does it affect the charge at issue ? Nay, it effects not even the question. “Why was I not first notified ?■' The inference will at once convince what sort of trust must be placed on the assertions of Mr Darcy Knewstub. Mr Editor, the statement as set forth by Mr Knewstub for the decision of the councillors, is equivocally capable of double interpretation understood in different senses; and being formed too, without a due examination of the facts so necessary for a just and impartial determination by the Mayor, clearly indicates .that Mr knewstub has formed a very low estimate of the intelligence of His Worship the Mayor, Mr. Stiles, and our Borough. Councillors. Indeed, the above innocent minute is another specimen of his methods so‘ equivocally displayed, and,at the expense of two innocent men at that. Mr Darcy Knewstub’s policy is here so plainly seen as that of the cuttlefish, throwing out black Hquour that darkens the water by which means to escape.—l am, etc., J. Goldkr. [Tbis correspondence is becoming dramatically incomprehensible. What’s the trouble, anyhow?— Ed.H.] ,