APOLOGY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10, 9 May 1912, Page 6

APOLOGY.

In our issue of the 23rd April we published a letter signed “T. L Paget,” wish regard to the then pending” Mayoral contest, in which it Was implied' that Mr. Jonas Masters and Mr. N. J. King dominated, or attempted to dominate, the Borough Council, for their own ends, and to the serious detriment of the business of the Borough. The statement was made in regard to the proposal that the Council should acquire the undertaking of the Stratford Electric Light Company, Limited. Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the passage in question may bo considered as defamatory of Mr. Masters and Mr. King. Wo desire to say that wo are satisfied that, in any action that may have been' l taken or proposed by the Council in connoct : on with the. proposed purchase, Messrs. Masters and King, as Mayor and Councillor respectively, were actuated solely by a desire to do what was best for tiie interests of the Borough. Wo regret very much that wo should have published a letter containing the suggestion that they were influencing the Council to servo their own ends, and to the detriment of the Borough, a suggestion for which we frankly admit there is no justification, and we regret tho annoyance caused to Mr. Masters and Mr. King by such publication. Dated the Bth dav of May, 1912. Stratford'Printing and Publishing Co., Limited. ARTHUR E. COPPING, Manager.

APOLOGY.

In the “Stratford Evening Post’’ of ( the 23rd April appeared a letter signed and written by mo with regard to the then pending Mayoral contest, in which it was stated Jonas Masters and Mr. N. J. King dominated, or attempted to dominate, the Borough Council for their own ends, and to the serious detriment of the business of the Borough. The statement was made in regard to the proposal that the Council should acquire the undertaking of the Stratford Electric Light Company, Limited. Tho solicitors of Mr. Masters and Mr. King have, written to me pointing out that the passage in question can be read to mean “for their own private ends,” and if so read, is a libel upon both the gentlemen named. I desire to say that I am satisfied that, in any action that may have been taken, or proposed, by tiie Council, in connection with the proposed purchase, Messrs. Masters and King, as Mayor and Councillor respectively, were actuated solely by a.desire to do what they thought best for the interest of the Borough. 1 very much regret that I should have so worded the letter as to possibly convey the suggestion that they were influencing the Council to serve their own private ends, a suggestion for which I admit there is no justification whatever, and which I had no intention of making. I therefore most willingly make this apology to Mr. Masters and Mr. King for having ,so worded and published the letter in question, and for any annoyance. or pain that they may have suffered by reason of shell publication.

I need only add time bad Messrs. Masters and King approached me personally I should have been just as ready to correct an unwitting error as i now am when approached by their solicitors.

Dated at Stratford, this Bth day of May, 1912. (Signed) T. L. PAGET.