THE LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 29 December 1870, Page 4

THE LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — I perceive in your last week's report of the proceedings of the above august body, a statement to the effect that a certain letter which I wrote and addressed "to the gentlemen composing the Lawrence Town Council" was, on the motion of Councillor Mears, ordered to bo returned to me "in consequence of its being couched in language disrespectful to the Council."

I think I am right in stating as a fact that I am not in the habit of being disrespectful to anyone, and in order to show tho public that Councillor Mears was wrong in his judgment of my letter, I beg you to publish it at foot. If I wished to be disrespectful, I imagine I could be so towards the Council with considerable show of reason ; and certainly, if I thought proper to use strong language against the Council I could do so most justly, after th°. treatment that I have received at their hands. I leave the public to judge whether the accompanying letter is disrespectful or otherwise. The Lawrence Town Council is not, I think, competent to judge of whether a letter is respettful or otherwise. Ido not say this personally of all its members ; but I will go this length, that it contains elements which in some cases rule the roost, and which are the reverse of creditable to the community. " Hinc Mac lacrimce!" — I am, &c, JOHN L. SIIADWJCLL KEEN. Lawrence, Dec. 2 1, 1870. [Copy.] Lawrence, 28th Nov., 1870. To Messrs H. Bastings, W. Mears, J. Harrop, 11. Williams, P. Urei), H. \Y. Coverlid. T. Barnett. {Re my assessment.)

Gentlemen, — Unless my claim upon you of £15 is settled by a cask payment of that amount to me by 12 o'clock to-morrow (29th Nov.), I intend to commence an action against you jointly in your private capacities for its recovery. After the manner in which I have been treated by you as a public body, I should have been quite justified in doing so without giving you any notice, but that I wish to act witE courtesy, although I have not received the same consideration from you in your public character. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedt. servt.,

John L. Shadwell Keen.