MR. BULLER IN EXPLANATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4595, 11 December 1875, Page 3

MR. BULLER IN EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,—The confident assurance in your paper, a week or two ago, that Mr. Walter Johnston's return for the Manawatu district was absolutely certain, has apparently given place to a sense of the seat being in danger. lamat a loss otherwise to account for the long notice with which you have honored me in this morning’s issue. On the question, whether or not Mr. Johnston is a better man than myself to represent the district, I am quite content to accept the decision of a majority of the electors at the forthcoming poll. But, as in your attempt to prejudice my candidature, you have had the bad taste to refer to my application for the war medal, and to suggest that on the occasion referred to I “ showed the white feather,” I must ask you in common fairness to publish the enclosed copy of a letter from the Officer Commanding, which accompanied the application. It was a matter of perfect indifference to me whether I got the medal or not, and had not Colonel Kookes, on my return from England, sent the application to me duly filled up and ready for signature, I should have taken no trouble to bring it before the commissioners. Both Colonel Hookes and Colonel McDonnell, who were able to judge of the facts, certified to the claim: but as I was neither a militiaman nor a volunteer (and exempt as a Resident Magistrate), the commissioners were no doubt right in refusing it. — I am, &c., Walter L. Duller. The Terrace, December 10. (copy.) Auckland, January 5, 1575. Sir, —l have the honor to transmit, for your favorable consideration, the accompanying application for the New Zealand war medal, granted to the colonists of this colony in recognition of services performed daring the late war, which I trust may meet with the success it deserves. Dr. Bullerwas, at the time mentioned in the application, on the personal staff of Governor Sir George Ore}', and rendered most important services by conveying despatches from the Governor, reporting the attack on Pipirikiand investment of that place. These despatches were conveyed through a portion of the country infested with Hau Hans, and were brought through at the greatest personal risk to Dr. Duller. Dr. Duller was present during the operations that led to the fall of the pah, and deserves (in my opinion) the medal as much as any one present.—l am, &c., Charles Cecil Rookes, Late Lieut.-Colonel. Commanding W.M. District. Sir Donald McLean, K.C.M.G., Wellington.