MR. BARFF.

West Coast Times, Issue 96, 8 January 1866, Page 3

MR. BARFF.

TO THK EDITOR OP TIIE " WEST COAST TIMES."

Sin, — A copy of the "'West -Coast Times" of the 12th December, ha? just come into my possession, and, I own that I am exceedingly- surprised at tho unjustifiable attack upon me* contained in its columns.

Permit me to say, that tho two letters alluded to were puivatb letters written by myself to a friend in Hokitika, and were penned within a day or two of my ai rival in this town, and I certainly had no idea of over seeing them in print. At tho same time I emphatically deny that any unprejudiced person can possibly s'eo any harm in any part of them. But my meaning has been wilfully misconstrued, and that to no limited extent. The paragraph in Jthc " Times" is evidently intended (for some secret reason ) to cause the belief that I am the veriest turncoat in existence, and that I had not only abandoned tho cause to which I am pledged, but I was a strong partisan in tho opposite ranks. Tho line of conduct which I have adopted in the Council, has at least convinced the members of the Government, that I am one of their most confirmed opponent's. In another number T am taken to task for not replying to, and refuting certain arguments used by tho Secretary for Public Works in his financial statement. Allow me to inform tho gentleman (who evidently has some hidden motive for misrepresenting affairs in which I havo taken part) that copies of the West Coast Estimates had been placed upon tho tablo only a few hours before they wore brought' under discussion in the Council. As it would have been manifestly unfair to my colleaguo and myself to have gone into the Estimates without having had sufficient time to go through them itcin by item, we signified as much to the Secretary for Public Works, and tho discussion of them was accordingly postpoucd. By hearing Mr. Hall's financial statement, boforo tho postponement was asked for, wo became possessed of tho leading facts in tho intended policy of Government. In conclusion, I sincerely hope that any remarks upon myself or myaolionw will bo tempered with a little more moderation, and, if possible, with a certain amount of justice. » I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Edmund Baiifi\ Christchurch, January, Ist 1866.

[Hv Item" must bo more cautious fin* tho future in writing private lottors to friends. Sonio frionds think it a great thing to got a communication from an M.P.C., and at onco • rush oft 1 with i( to tlio printer. It was, wo admit, too bad to put tho complacent sentences about tho Speivlor'B " attentions," &c, in tho pupors, when they wero merely privato confidences. But tho blame (loos not lio »it our door.— Ed. W.O.T.]

M. de Latnnrlino has just commenced tie publication in (ho Conslitutionnel of a Life of Byron. Such an ovent will seem out of date to Englishmen but, next after Shnkespeave, Byron is in France tho English poet par excel' leiwtr, and hia name, hud^uotations. from Iris work* aye of every day o«cfy : ven<;a..

I SALE