To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 434, 29 September 1849, Page 3

To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.

Sir, — Want of space, which, as you state, presented the appearance of my letter in reference to Mr. Fox's attempted suppression of the Otago News immediately on receipt of it, is no excuse for its non-appearance in subsequent numbers of your paper. Mr. Fox, under cover of an answer to some statements in the Spectator, of which I knew nothing until after they appeared in print, has in a third instance evaded answering the question proposed in my letter. You, to diyert attention from that question, have indulged in some general statements against me, the graver of which are untrue {random shots falling wide of the mark), and can be met only by a simple denial. The residue of those statements are partial truths — examples of the suggestiojaht, a mode of sophistry in the use of which drilled advocates of the New Zealand Company should be expert, under penalty of losing their billet. Witness the case of the Otago News. Malicious people will infer that Mr. Fox was your prompter. Is it true that he did endeavour to suppress the Otago News when that paper refused to be the echo of the Company's assertions ? This is the I question which neither respectful invitation nor printed requisition will induce him to auswer. And until it is answered, he and you must excuse the doubts which will force themselves upon weak minds. If you think that the cause of freedom is advanced by scurrility, I am happy to differ with you ; and if you consider my opinions of so much importance, that without being able to controvert them, you resort to that weapon to evade their force, I may be pardoned for accepting it as a compliment to which modesty has hitherto prevented me from considering them entitled. I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, O. Wellington, September 26, 1849.