MB SALE'S ABSENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 586, 10 August 1867, Page 3

MB SALE'S ABSENCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES. Sik,t-^A.B it may save any further misapprehension, will you allow me, referring to the article in your paper of this morning, to inform you and the public who take their information from your columns, that Mr Sale left for Chrstcliureh on his own private affairs, the Provincial Government having — so he told me — consented to his doing bo at the present time. It maybe hard enough .{to have the time at his disposal shortened by a snow storm happening to him on the way, but I am sure — and I venture to say it Jhere — Mr Sale will be disappointed and us grieved as any one, if the hindrance should prolong his absence, and he should find, notwithstanding his provision _to the contrary, that the public service has been made to suifer any loss in consequence. Yours &c, Eobebt Abbot. [Our remarks were very far from being intended to imply any imputation upon Mr Sale, of a neglect of duty. It is not a ckarge that has ever been brought againt him. It was a veiy natural inference under the present political circumstances — that Mr Sale's visit to Cbristchurch was connected with public matters, and we have no hesitation in saying that every one in town thought so. We regret that the pleasure of his viait to the other side of the ranges has been marred by by the untoward weather he as experienced, and wish him a pleasanter journey back. The detention of an official of Mr Sale's position for so many day's, and the simulf neous interruption of the telegraphic comwith Christchurch, was, however, very legitimate argument to use in illustration of the inconveniences that may often result from our political dependanee on a distant capital.— Ed. W. O. T-]