REPLY.

Southland Times, Issue 707, 9 August 1867, Page 2

REPLY.

(to the editor of the southland times.) Sic, — A letter signed " Fair Play," in your issue of the sth instant, contains statements so directly at variance with truth that I cannot in justice to myself allow it to pass unnoticed. The writer sheltered under his specious anonyma, asserts that I have a "personal spite" against Mr Blacfclock. As the person best able to form an opinion on that point, I at once and unreservedly deny the assertion. On some points our opinions differ, but surely this is no evidence of " personal spite." If asking a plain question of Mr Blacklock was " an. endeavour to get up a disturbance," I plead guilty. "With regard to the Southland steamer, I may state that my firm was instructed to dispose of her, and but for the withdrawal within a few weeks, would have effected a sale at £7000 (seven thousand pounds.) On the vessel being put into the hands of another firm, we, under the circumstances, claimed withdrawal commission. The justice ot this claim was admitted by the leading members of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, and if considered worth while, the amount could have been recovered at law. — I am, Sir, yours &c, John W. Mitchell. [Mr Mitchell makes an assertion without proof. Did be communicate to the Government the fact that he was in treaty to obtain £7,000, and from whom ? "Was the name of the intending purchaser mentioned ? These questions require to be answered before any weight can be attached to the statement. — Ed. S.T.~]