CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1116, 7 August 1882, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[ do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed bp our correspondents.] .q.— TO THE EDITpB. Srn, —Tn answer to Truth,” I thank him for addressing himself to facta j I can only reiterate that Major Scully’s enquiry and report was not made in consequence of Sergt. Kidd’s report, but in consequence of wires throe and four to Government, as I have already said, and as anyone taking the trouble to read the H. 31 papers can see for himself. Kidd’s report alone did not, and (as far as mortal man can forsee) would not have produced Major Scully’s visit i it was only after letters and repeated wires that Government agreed to sflna Major Scully. “ Trnth ” says I for* hour saying the enquiry was made long Kidd was removed j certainly I do. Does lie wish me 30 tell an untruth ? I reiterate, Major Scully’s visit and report was made long after Kidd had left the district. “ Truth ” says I state Kidd’s report was the cause of his removal. I did not so state, my words are, “ so things remained, Sergt;. Kidd waiting for the expected further instructions. * * * And presently the threatened removal of Sergt. Kidd took p’ace.” But, although I am nut in a position tu slate H blip

cause of his removal,” I do think if his report had never been made he might have been here yet, though I am well aware other causes have operated. “ Truth ” says, “if I could only peruse the communication which caused Kidd’s removal, &c.” lam not so favorably situated as he is to obtain the sight of that document, but if he will be good enough to let me have it, I shall be glad to peruse it and to acknowledge the favor. In conclusion, I do not offer any bet, but I offer the same terms to “ Truth ” which I offered to you, sir, i.e., to pay a sum to the Hospital as forfeit for incorrectness or untruthfulness as to facts. I can see no other way of deciding. He winds up with the usual general denial, but no particulars. I reply to his general plea of misrepresentation, that, if he will indicate any fact which he says I have misrepresented, I will reply to that as I have done above, by explaining or by reiterating my statement, whereon he can, if he likes, aceept my terms. To avoid misapprehension by “ Truth,” my chronology is roughly: 1. Sergeant Kidd's report and undertaking of prosecution by police—March, 1880. 2. Alleged interference by Mr Shearman, and police stopped—cannot be fixed accurately, but say—lBBo. 3. Commencement of correspondence with Government in consequence, H. 31, 1880. 4. Wires to Government, begging a reply —lBBl.

5. Kidd removed early in February, 1881. 6. Government, in reply to above wires, promise to send Major Scully at the end of 1881. 7. Major Scully visits Gisborne—March, 1881, 8. And reports—April, 1881. I am not nt all surprised at men expressing opinions, but I confess tho manner in which people contradict, and the assurance with which they publish falsehoods which can easily be disproved, does go as near as possible to astonish one.—Yours, &o, W. H. Tucker. [Captain Tucker’s idea as to what people express, or ought to express, should cause him little wonder when he compares with them the many false statements made by himself. “ Truth " compares favorably with Captain Tucker in this respect.—Ed. P.B.S.]