TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 251, 27 October 1939, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR

- HOSPITAL AFFAIRS Sir, —1 am sorry if Mr. Baigent has been inconvenienced through delay in replying to his effusion of the 13th. inst., but I have been absent from Opotiki for health Reasons, which may be accepted as a sufficient reason. When persons aspire to public prominence they naturally conic under the. spot light of public criticism and should not squeal when fairly criticised. The force of my previous criticism was directed against the flagrant misuse or misapplication by Mr. Baigent, as reported, of the principles of British justice and fair play which he had so strongly urged. In my criticism it was made perfectly clear that Mr. Baigent, according to newspaper report, had been a party by precipitate action at the Board meeting in denying a person in the employ of the Board those precious principles which lie professed so ardently to admire. British justice entitles one to he heard •in defence, yet thi.s - was denied the person to whom I referred. No answer to- this vital matter appears in Air. Baigent’s letter, he is strangely silent an the point; is it that Mr. Baigent is now ashamed of his action. It takes a strong .man to admit an injustice . Can Air. Baigent measure up* to this standard? All*. Baigent invites■me to define discourtesy for him. 1 do not claim to be an educationalist, it would seem to be a confession on Air. Baigent’:? part of limitations. Instead of meeting my criticism fairly and) squarely Air. Baigent descends to* personal drivel of a reprehensible nature in an endeavour to escape. Howvery gallant! I again commend Air.. Baigent to peruse the typed evidence taken by the Board at an enquiry held in September 193 S which is in the possession of the Board and which thevariest ignoramus may be expected to understand. x The insinuous suggestion that 1 have withheld certain letters the property of the Board for personal reasons, and which is definitely untrue.. is a canard and) phastasy too low for the imagination. Very probably Mr. Baigent may have an opportunity oi substantiating his remarks ill, another place. I believe my residence in Opotiki during tlie past 27 years justifies the conclusion that my word lias always proven to be my Bond, unlikeothers who" could bo mentioned. J. T. MEKBY.