Mr. O'CONOR and HIS ACCUSERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 138, 11 June 1872, Page 2

Mr. O'CONOR and HIS ACCUSERS.

To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir—ln accordance with my earnest desire, as expressed in your paper, to see the evidence, I called yesterday at the Council Chamber. The Clerk showed me apart of it, in which I found proof of what I before only suspected. I then asked for tbe remainder ; it was not to be had. The part I saw had evidently been falsified and mutilated. As a small protection 1 requested that the Clerk should initial every page. Mr. Luckie, who was in the room, objected to his doing so; Mr. Macmahon was present ; the clerk then initialed the pages. I afterwards informed the Speaker of what I had noticed, and begged of him to prevent any further falsifying, and to give me the copy so long promised. He said that he would do so. In the Council yesterday, in the evening, I stated that the report was falsified; I asked for a copy; I asked that an enquiry should be made upon oath before a magistrate; and I undertook to prove it. Some members at first seemed to desire the inquiry. I asked Mr. Shephard, in illustration of my charge, whether he had not given a certain answer to an all-important question which I addressed to him in cross examination. He hesitated for a while. Mr. Luckie openly rose from his place, went to the clerk's table, looked at that part of the evidence there ■>.■ • . ,

and when be leit Mr. Shephard declined to answer the question. I was then ruled out of order; every nerve was strained by Messrs Donne, Reid. Guinness, Kynnersley. and Shephard to misinterpret my /words. Being ruler! out of order, I was compelled to withdraw. With closed doors ard in secrecy, the Council deliberated upon a charge which common decency should have urged them to meet with a complete public, searchirg, and open inquiry upon oath before a disinterested and judicial functionary. A partial and false report of the proceedings is given in this morning's Colonist, concocted by whom? One of the parties principally concerned, and now to-day I have applied again for a cop}' of the evidence for the avowed purpose of bringing the matter to light by criminal* proceedings. I am still baffled. I have offered to pay any charge for the copy. I am told I must wait until it is printed — perhaps a month, perhaps three. Is that fair dealing ? I claim in justice to have a copy of that evidence, which, I fray, is falsified. I ask that the original documents be impounded, and seal put upon them. Do I ask more than what is right ? Por answer, I am bullied by my former accusers — those whom T now impeach for a crime which, in a free and Christian country, should be abhorred. I If I am wroDg, what have they to fear ? My , opponents are numerous, powerful, and unscrupulous ; I stand alone. All I ask is a copy I of the evidence and a just and open enquiry upon oath. I am, &c, Eugene ros E pn' O'Conor, M.P.C., M.H.R. Neleon, June 1 1, 1872.