MR. JOSEPH SHEPHARD IN EXPLANATION.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1028, 10 December 1872, Page 3

MR. JOSEPH SHEPHARD IN EXPLANATION.

I (To the 'Editor of the Westport Times.) Sib, —In your leading article of the 22nd November, my address to ray »Waimea constituents is commented lon, and allowing for all reasonable ] difference of opinion I do not feel ] called on to debate your belief on J general politics, though conscious that I could furnish a complete reply where i we differ. Tou say I *' class the residents on '• the Goldfields as turbulent malcontents," and on this point I must beg you will accept and publish my correction. I never entertained such an opinion, and all that can fairly be deduced from my speech is that I do not admit every resident on the Goldfields to be free from self-seeking any more than I should every inhabitant of the settled districts. Tou will see that when a representative addresses his constituents he must make the main points of his speech refer to subjects directly interesting to them, and when you consider that I was listened to for nearly two hours and a half, you will agree with me that I had spoken at sufficient length. The report in the ' Colonist'

|#nd ' Examiner' is merely an abstract of what I said, for if given in full at least ton columns would have been ailed. I was, from want of time, compelled to lay aside more than half my notes, and that part comprised what I had intended should be a full exposition of . my views on improved administration, I local government, coalfields, and such | -questions as would have interested \ those at a'distance more than my own •constituents. The time may yet -come when I may have an opportunity of addressing the various Goldfields communities, and then I believe a large amount of agreement will be found between them and me. At present I refrain from further detail, and even so much I could not . well have said had I not freed myself : firat by resigning the office of Provincial Treasurer, which act will at the ■end of the year finally sever all connection between me and Mr Curtis.— I am &c, Joseph Shemiabd, M.H.8., M.P.C. Nelson, Nov. 30, 1872. „,