MOUNT BENGER ELECTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 July 1873, Page 10

MOUNT BENGER ELECTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — A correspondent under the cognomen of "A Member of the Progress Committee," in jour last issue, asserts " That at a meeting 1 of this body presided over by me. I supported a resolution to bring forward a local candidate selected by the committee, and that tho committee unanimously requested Mr Beighton to stand — further, that I specially asked him to consent. 1. In reply I beg to state that no such resolution was brought forward, consequently 1 could not have supported it. 2. The committee did not unanimously request Mr. Beighton to stand ; two or three are all, to my knowledge, that asked him to stand. 3. 1 did not ask Mi-. Beighton to consent to stand — I asked him in the course of his conversation if he was going to stand. After a short discussion on the subject of bringing a local candidate forward, one of the members suggested to refer the whole matter to a rmblic meeting, which was agreed to. At that meeting (which was specially called for the purpose of obtaining an expression of public opinion) Mr. Ireland had a very large majority in his favor, as admitted by the Chairman, consequently in terms of tho understanding previously arrived at by the Progress Commi't.'e I felt in duty bound to support Mr. Ireland. I ask where is the inconsistency in my conduct in this matter ? If Mr. Beighton had behaved consistently, ho would at this stage have retired from the field. , Although your correspondent may be

smarting under his late defeat, ho should pay some little deference to truth. Sometimes in his eagerness to detect the mote in his neighbour's eye, he draws considerably on his distorted imagination ; as for instance, when he coins the remarks which he states were made by Mr. Borton during the late mysterious investigation. He was then, find probably still is, writhing under a well-merited castigation administered by the R.M., when he was peremptorily ordered out of court, and had to comply, however humiliating the infliction to a person so vain as he is of the distinction of subscribing occasionally the initials J.P. to his name. In this case, as in others, he has distinguished himself by his peculiar habit of prying into matters which do not concern him, and if he plays with edged tools he must expect now and again to get cut over the knuckles. Trusting your correspondent will have the moral courage to attach his proper name to any future effusions he may favor you with. — I am, &c, G-. Mackat. Roxburgh, July 5.