APOLOGY WANTED.

Patea Mail, 25 August 1882, Page 3

APOLOGY WANTED.

The Editor Patea Mail. Sib, — “ Patea Trader,” in giving vent to his spleen against Mr Mace, has in a most mean, despicable, and contemptible manner chosen to ridicule that gentleman through me. Truly a most praiseworthy action, and a credit to his cowardness, but to which some little danger is attached. “ Patea Trader ” makes bold to state that the result of my bank contract was a heavy loss, and that it serves the ignornnt contractor right. This statement may or may not be true, and may be surmised or even known privately ; but “ Patea Trader ” having now made these facts public to the detriment of myself, I must call upon him to make a public apology. The effect of his statement is most damaging, and may cause considerable inconvenience by bringing undue pressure upon me. Failing an apology, I shall adopt means which may cause “ Patea Trader ” some uneasiness. My ignorance in contracting may be counterbalanced, by his simplicity in making statements publicly of an injurious and damaging character.—Yours respectfully, H. T. Bush. Note. —On looking again at “ Patea Trader’s ” letter, we think Mr Bush has some ground for complaint, and regret the annoyance caused by the publication. As Mr Bush does not complain of any untrue statement, we have nothing to contradict. The writer of the letter ought to apologise if he has made a mistake. In the threat of proceedings, we understand Mr Bush contends that to publish a fact detrimental to himself is libellous. We neither admit nor deny this doctrine, at present.— Ed. Mail.