MR BEETHAM IN REPLY TO MR RENALL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 815, 9 July 1881, Page 3

MR BEETHAM IN REPLY TO MR RENALL.

[To the Editor of ihe Wairabapa Daily, Wellington, Oth July. Sis,—Mr Renall has forwarded a communication addressed to Mr Bunny and myself, in which lie informs us that he has published a copy of his letter in tho public Press. I thereto,-acting for Mr Bunny and myself, think it advisable to forward you . forpublication the views we hold on the '• unfortunate dispute relative to acre No 42, A letter dated June 17th, 1881. was read by me, signed by Mr Hare (acting Chairman), Edwin Feist, W. McCardle. Farquhar Gray, and Walter Perry, asking . me to take such steps as might be found necessary to include section 42 in the v schedule of the Amendment Act to be 11 . " brought down this session for the purpose of legalising the exchange of land-agreed to for school purposes. This letter also includes an extract from the Wairarapa Baily, reporting a meeting held of Trustees, in which I observe the following paragraph The Chairman pro tem was instructed to write to the Government to have town acre 42 included in the Act" I duly wrote, acknowledging the receipt of the letter, to Mr Hare; and consulted with Mr Bunny on the subject. Upon enquiry we found that the Government _ (although due notice had been given in the papers of their intention to include section 42 in the schedule) had declined to further interfere in the question. Taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, we considered that it became our duty to ensure that a full investigation should be held, that would have the effect of justly determining the legal position of the Trust in this matter, and accordingly I gave notice of ray intention to introduce a olause during the passage of the Bill through committee for the purpose of vesting the acre in the Trust. _ I wrote to Mr Renall before doing so, stating what we proposed, and also stated that the clause that we proposed to ■V,.introduce would be, in due course, refeMLto the Waste Lands Committee for Stating also that, as a matter form, the Bill with the clause ■inserted might be allowed to pass the Lower Chamber?, and that the necessary investigation should take place in the Waste Lands Court of the Legislative Council, who have more time available for these judicial enquiries than the House of Representatives. I also, feeling ' that my old friend Renall was taking an unwise and untenable position, offered, if he thought any good could result from such a course, to act as abitrator in the question. I thought that if my offer had been accepted it would have given both parties an Opportunity of retiring from a difficult find painful position without sacrificing their amor propre, Mr Renall never acknowledged my suggestion re arbitration, but wrote enclosing report of public meeting, also stating that we were unduly interfering with subjects that we knew nothing about, &c. I had not fe to write, but after consulting wjth Mr Bunny, telegraphed acknowledging receipt, saying that I had given notice of clause, Mr Renall then wrote, stating that a requisition was being signed, and I then telegraphed as follows" Bunny and myself will give requisition due consideration, but we fail to see what harm can result from investigation. Will write fully by morning's mail." I was unable to fulfil my promise re writing as Mr Bunny was out of the House, and I wished him'to see my answer. Before receiving Mr Renall's last letter, I wrote as follows (letter enclosed), and have since telegraphed him stating that "We cannot attend public meeting." I cannot see that at the present juncture any good can result from the publication of. the whole correspondence, which is very voluminous, in connection with this dispute. The investigation will be held ; in •, fact the question may now be considered sub judice. We therefore for the present ask our friends to suspend judgment until the whole circumstances are before them. Mr Bunny and myselt have no personal interests to serve, but are merely actuated with a desire to do what is just and in the matter. The action we are taking cannot imperil the town acres (Nos. 106 and 111). If they should ever prove to belong legally to the Trust, we shall be always glad to assist in vesting them in the Trustees—a body that, we must assume, has been legally and duly elected as representing the inhabitants of Masterton. I have to apologise for writing thus at i length, but we thought that misapprehen- _ signs,plight arise if our reasons for aoting Dbmo 'have done were not placed before HHHpar.ties interested, j® Geqkoe Bertram.