THE ISLAND BLOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 July 1873, Page 6

THE ISLAND BLOCK.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — Before letting this matter drop, you will perhaps allow me space for a few remarks in self-vindication. I am disappointed that " Benger " should withdraw his challenge. It is equivalent to admitting the incorrectness of his statement, and so disarming further criticism. In reference to the way his Honor the Superintendent's name has been mixed up in the affair, I desire explicitly to state that I was not, and could not be guilty of making such statements as alleged, having never received any information of any kind from Mr. Maeandrew. I referred to that gentleman's speech at the Teviot two years ago, when he refused to disclose the proceedings of the Executive Council, and attributed the chief blame to a private individual resident in this district. Mr. Eeid, in bis address, was not similarly reticent, as he made a special merit of his not voting in favor of the sale when the matter was debated in the Executive. As to Mr. Gillies, I can excuse some petulance in a man suffering from so crushing and galling a defeat. Still, if that gentleman had either political honor or honesty, he would not hesitate to vindicate himself by the publication of his report to the Government on the block. I shall deal more at large with this matter, and illustrate Mr. Gillies's consistency, by reports of conversations held by him with persons in the Mount Benger district, in the pamphlet I now have in preparation. In the meantime, I am quite willing the discussion should drop. — I am, &c, C. Nicholson.