CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 103, 30 April 1872, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

FALSE REPORTING. To The Editor of the Nelson Evej-ikg Mail. Sir — I see it stated in a telegram from Mr. Luckie, Messrs. Greville's agent here, to the newspapers in other parts of the col.my, that in my address to the electors, yesterday week, I "defended my conduct in connection with the Waitara war." Now, I had nothing to defend, for I liad no share in that war except drafting one warning: letter to Governor Browne, after he had given instructions for military occupation, and shouldering my musket when ordered by the military commander**. Therefore I did not defend my conduct. This part of the telegram may pass as loose writing— though loose writing ought not be found in telegrams. But ihe statement that I *- declared that war to be a legacy left hy Mr. Fox," cannot be so excused. True, Mr. Fox was at least as much the cause of the Waitara war as I, hut I never made anything approaching such a charge. What I described ns Mr. Fox's legacy to his successors, Mr. Weld and Mr. Stafford, was the Military Settlements scheme with its three million loan. That tliis ill-con-trived scheme helped to keep war aJive, and still keeps up insecurity, and want of confidence in the North I have no doubt. But I expressly condemned the unfairness of charging on the present Government or any Government of the day, the blame of war which as I said <k dates hack to the very foundation of the Colony " So long as Mr. Luckie continues to be Messrs. Greville's agent here, I must warn the public against believing that I am the author of all the sayings, far fetched, or even bordering on falsehood, that a rival candidate in the name of Messrs. Greville, and behind the scene of the telegraph office may choose to put in my mouth. I am, &c, J. C. Richmond.