Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Southland Times, Issue 714, 23 August 1867, Page 3

| AN EXPLANATION. (TO THE BDITOB OF THE SOUTHLAND TIMES.) Superintendent's Office, Southland, 21st August, 1867. i Sic, — In your issue of to-day I have read a letter signed ." Anti-snob," in .which, and referring to a former letter on the same subject, the Provincial Engineer is spoken of as intimidating people under his orders, to influence their votes] j and an instance is quoted of his having dis charged coWain men who had been working on theline for a length of time, whereby they had lost three week's work, and moreover that on the case .being. represented to me I had directed the men to be put to work again. .... i With.regard to the question of intimidation;, to the best of my recollection the discharge of the men referred to took place before it was even known whether the Governor would allow a dissolution or not, and could not,, therefore, have any possible connection with elections. It is trute that the three men named, but no ethers, as far as my memory serves me, were discharged by Mr .Simpson, and that they complained to me about it; it is also true that I investigated the matter ; but the result was very different from that stated by your correspondent. Mr Simpson stated that he had discharged the men who were permanent surface workmen, under an erroneous belief that, there being no . provision for the payment of their wages beyond the end of the month, such a step was necessary, but that they should be taken on again when this objection was removed ; and that he had ordered a ganger to get some other men, not surfacemen, to make good the effects of an acoident. One of the men, Cheyne, had only been one day in Government employ ; one immediately took other employment, and Mr Simpson himself would have replaced the rest, after receiving from me an explanation of his financial mistake, had they desired it. The case of a Government officer intimidating men under him, for electioneering purposes, is so easy of proof, that the idea of anyone so situated attempting it is simply incredible; and I should think there is not a man in Southland who would not laugh at such a threat. Good workmen, such as these are certified to be, are too independent of favor to be influenced by it. As for a Government employe exercising his legitmate privileges at an election I consider that like every man whatever of sound mind it is not only his right, but his duty ; and it would be better for the province if every man of thought and station exercised his. I regret that I have been thus compelled to take part in an unseemly controversy concerning one of the numerous mistatements that have appeared in the letters of newspaper correspondents, and should have remained silent with regard to this one had not I been the only person who could authoritatively rectify it. I have the honor to be, Sir', Your obedient servant, JNO. P. TAYLOE, Superintendent; ♦ SALE OF THE STEAMER "SOUTHLAND" TO THE BDITOB OP THE SOUTHLAND TIMES.) Sib, — Eeferring to your comment on my reply to the anomyous attack on me, which appeared in your issue of the 9th instant, I now hand you for publication several letters selected from the series of correspondence on the subject, as being sufficient to make good the statements advanced. The error of the Execvtive consisted of their sending their advertisement for tenders to another, instead of to my firm. That error simple though it seems, cost the province £3000, and on Mr D. Mitchell j challenging Mr JJlacklock about it personally, on the 2nd January last, the latter 'aid all the blame on Mr Aylmer. The intending purchasers being in immediate want of a boat, purchased one shortly afterwards. Should you have any desire for further particulars and " proofs," regarding this most unbusiness like proceeding on the.part of the late Executive, you can procure these ad libitum from David Mitchel, Exchange, Melbourne ; that is, provided that gentleman has sufficiently recovered from his disgust, of which the late Provincial Treasurer must have a lively remembrance, i our's, John W. Mitchell. Invercargill, 26th Oct., 1866. "Rangitoto" Deab David, — Herewith please receive a commission from our Government here, which we hope you will be able to execute. You are expected to take the first chance of writing to us officially, as to the prospects of your being able to dispose of her in Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney. The Government anticipate your recommending her to be sent across to Melbourne for inspection by intending buyers, provided you see a prospect of selling her. In haste Yours truly, Mitchell & Co. Lloyds Rooms 95 Collins street, West, Melbourne 10th November, 1866. Dear Sirs, — I am in receipt of your favor of 26th ult covering description of Steam Tug Southland, with a view of selling her in this market. I have submitted her to some of the most likely buyers, ana find there is a fair prospect of her being sold, were she here for inspection to likely buyers. I would therefore recommend the Government to send her over, and would further recommend her being sold by public auction as I believe she would bring more by that method than by private bargain. From what vessels inferior to the Southand have lately brought she ought to realize more than £5000 — the Government reserve. Should it be thought advisable not to send her over in the meantime, I shall do my best to sell her where she now lies, but it is nesessary to send the following documents. Ist. Certificate of Engineer as to present state of machinery. . 2nd. Certificate as to state of hull. 3rd. Customs certificate of sale in my favor leaving price blank. Assuring the Government of my best exertions in this matter. ' j I am, Yours faithfully, (Signed) David Mitchell Messrs Mitchell & Co . Invercargill. Invercargill, 20th November, 1866. Pers.s. "Otago." Deab David, — Your letter dated the 10th instant, I received yesterday, and (to catch the mail) immediately placed a copy thereof in the hands of the Government.