OUR WELLINGTON CORRESPONDENT AND MR. MERVYN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 140, 13 October 1870, Page 5

OUR WELLINGTON CORRESPONDENT AND MR. MERVYN.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sib, — I have just received your paper of the 22nd inst., in which appears a letter from your Wellington Correspondent, containing a violent personal attack upon myself. As the animus of your correspondent must be very apparent, I deem the personal abuse contained in it unworthy of notice. There is one statement, however, to which I am bound to refer. He states, in reference to myself, that, "He is shifty as the wind, except when the question of commonage by any chance arises, then the thought of his few bullocks in the wilderness keep him in a straight course.'' Now, sir, your correspondent must have known that no such question cropped up during any of the discussions which took place in the Assembly during the past three sessions. This is very easily proved by reference to " Hansard. " Equally untrue is it that I am known in the lobbies as " the cockatoo." Not that lam ashamed of being one, as it would be better to be distinguished by that appellation than stigmatised as something worse ; but I think I have fair reason to complain that when I have endeavoured to do my duty honestly towards my constituents, I should be made the butt of any man'spetty malice through the medium of your columns: The next time your active and energetic correspondent, who is blessed with such a persevering tenacity of purpose, acts again in that capacity, let him be content with blowing his own trumpet, and permit other members' constituents to judge for themselves whether they have been properly represented. Fair criticism by the press on the conduct of honourable members is highly desirable for the due carrying out of representatives institutions, but in my humble opinion nothing is more to be reprobated than prostituting the press by making it the vehicle for the distribution of slander. I would state, however, if your correspondent has any specified charges to make against myself through the columns of the press, by appending his name to them I will always •be prepared to answer them. —I am, &c, ' ' ' D. H. Mervyn. Teviot, September 29, 1870. • * * * . * * *

[As Mr. Mervyn makes a great mistake in identifying oar Wellington Correspondent we have left out gome uncalled for remarks made by him with reference to the supposed correspondent. — Ed. " T.T."J