HUNUA RABBIT COMMITTEE MEETING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 538, 8 June 1920, Page 2

HUNUA RABBIT COMMITTEE MEETING.

Sir,—Kindly permit me space ii. your valuable columns to reply to K. B. Milne. I do not intend to reply to the whole of his letter, as that chiefly concerns your correspondent in this district. 1 wish therefore to reply to that part that alone concerns me. Mr. Milne says that "the only effrontery shown was when Mr. Hillam catechised the meeting." Mr. Editor, I did not catechise the meeting. Does Mr. Milne know the meaning of the word catechise ? Catechise means to question or interrogate. I do not remember asking a single question it the meeting. I attended the meeting as the secretary of the Hunua Extermination Committee, and acting in that capacity I answered questions ielating to previous poisonings that had taken place in Hunua. I certainly did speak, with the indulgence of the chairman, and said that I was astounded at the effrontery of the convenors (note the plural) of that meeting. Allow me to state the fact. A meeting was called in the Hunua Hall by the residents of Moumoukai, Paparimu, and Paparata Valley. Is not that effrontery. I once read a notice in our post office that a meeting was to be held ir. the Hu:iua Schoolhouse, and that was my first and only intimation. 1 call that affrontery. 1 wonder if Mr. Milne does ? Mr. Milne says I shcuiti keep quiet because I am not a ratepayer. I suppose, Mr. Editor, I should not try to put out a fire because I am not a fireman. Mr. Milne should be thankful that I am not a ratepayer. I might have said more, and then he would have had more to grieve over. I was not the only nonratepayer at the meeting, but unlike some of those friends of Mr. Milne, I did not vote. Mr. Milne may answer this or he may not. I have given you my explanation, Mr. Editor, and that is all I have to say. Thanking you, in anticipation.

E. B. HILLAM Sohoolhouae, Hurua, June 2, 1920.