CAPTAIN SUTTER AND THE “TIMARU HERALD.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2764, 1 February 1882, Page 2

CAPTAIN SUTTER AND THE “TIMARU HERALD.”

[To THE EdITOB] Sir, — I beg to baud you the enclosed two letters to publish along with this one.,, Mr Haggett seems to be delighted when he thinks I am in error as to the amount Mr Belfield receives from the Board of Education, while he is sitting as a memberand its Chairman. I would remind him, however, that this doesmot improve his position. A man who steals a one pound npte is as much- a thief as a man who steals five hundred pounds ; the difference is only fn degree, Mr Belfield’s position is no less an outrage on public feeling. I may mention that Mr Haggett was sitting on the front seat in the centre of the room, at the the meeting; his back was to the audience, and he could not see what was doing, and by his own admission was calling out “Bosh." The Chairman was in the centre of the room facing the audience. I was standing at the third scat downward and could see all except a few in one corner at my back. I leave the reader to judge whether on this point Mr Haggett is to be believed in preference to an independent, man. I may point out Mr Haggett’s bread and butter depends on Mr Belfield, and I have pointed out before to the public or Timaru that Mr Belfield is a weak-minded man, and my experience is that men of his sort are always very spiteful, and it is evident he is no exception to the rule. Witness his refusal to publish a letter from me yet committing the unmanly act of writing a criticism on that letter, A more spiteful and cowardly act no man could be guilty of.. In publishing this letter it is the la°t T will ever ask you to do in connection with Mr Belfield and his nest of wasps. A paper that will publish articles of a spiteful character and refuse to publish a reply,has arrived at that point when silent contempt is' the only proper treatment. In conclu sion I would advise Mr Belfield and his staff on the “ Timaru Herald ” to read and study Dr Butler’s works, as they evidently keep them in the “Herald” office. I am very m'uch mistaken if they find any advice in his works to set at defiance the laws of their country.—l am, &c., J. H. Sutter.

Timaru, Jan. 30, 1882. R. B. Walcot, Esq; SlH,—I have to ask you if you have read a letter signed “ D. Haggett,” published in the South Canterbury Times of Saturday last. He says that there were marks of disapprobation more or less distinctly expressed in all parts of the room. You being Chairman, placed in front of the audience and in a position 1 to see what took place,' is this statement correct or not. I am, yours truly, ' , . J. H. Sutter. • Timaru, Jan. 31,1882. Captain Sutter, Dear : Sir,—ln answer to your commun'cation of yesterday’s date, 1 beg to say that, having perused Mr Raggett’s letter to which you refer, I am of opinion that he is wrong in his statement that there were marks of disapprobation expressed in all parts of the room. What really occurre 1 was as followsOn your referring to Mr Belfieid in his position as Chairman of the Education Board receiving pecuniary benefit from that body, Mr Bower rose to order, and Mr Haggett exclaimed “ Shame 1" more than once. On resuming your seat you were greeted with considerable applause. Yours faithfully, R. B. Walcot, Chairman of Meeting.