AND YET AGAN, TOUCHING THAT HARMONIUM.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 778, 12 June 1877, Page 3

AND YET AGAN, TOUCHING THAT HARMONIUM.

Sib, — In reply to Mr Mnclnurin, I acknowledge that I was the author of the letter bearing the signalure of " Verilas" which appeared m jonr issue of the 24(h ultimo, and Icnn prove that all the statements made therein are correct m every particular. I foil to see how Mr Maclaurin has answered my letter, though I perceive it was h!s intention to "slate" me. His twaddle is harmless, unless to himself, nor does, he even attempt to justify his possession of the Harmoninm, but shirks the whole question by loosely stringing a quantity of words together. Had he been less verbose and more candid it .would have been an improvement.

He, says * it is untrue that public indignation led to the. expunging process.' I can only Btate that several parties complained of the offending interlineation before I saw the list. On its presentation to me, I also objected and referred the matter to two gentlemen present at the time, and they viswed the matter m same light. There are the subecribers referred to by me • who" replaced the Presbyterian interlineation subscription' and I distinctly saw one of them strike out tho objectionable words notwithstanding that Mr Maolnurin snys * he obliterated he words with his own band.'

It is very discreditable to Mr Maclaurin to attempt to cast a slur on Alexandra by calling it * Sleepy Hollow,'\ though probably he may bo sincere m his expression front a feeling of contempt for a place ttut has always befriended him hitherto. • Out of the fullness of the heart • the mouth speaketh' this is gra itude of course. Be will be somewhat astonished to find .Alexandra is not so sleepy as his fancy painted i*. He says, 'the Public Hall Committee wished to gain possession of the instrument' Ko harm if they did. It would be Safe m their hands from an attempted conversion to private use. Rone of them have tried to make a private residence of the hall yet— but I assert that the Committee bad no intention of securing the instrument—though personally I would have liked them to hare taken charge of it. He further Bays the committee charged him £5 per annum for hire of the hull. Quite correct, but 1 regret that hitherto the rental has been purely nominal. As to! the remark imputed to me, I that I would yield, to tlie majority/ j

deny it. If Mr Macaurin refreshes his memory he will remember that I said, 'If I was the' only one that objected, I would not be overruled by the majority * -'(he gave me but three), and finally, I Said, ' Call a meeting, and tberi if the majority agree, I don't suppose you will find me obstiuate.' My object m wanting a meeting to deoide the matter was to enable injself and others to represent our views to tho reßt of the subscribers fairly and openly, for we were of opinion, as I told Mr Maclaurin, that ' tho money was obtained for a certain purpose, and should be sacred to that purpose, unless the whole of the subscribers decided otherwise." But he dared not call a meeting ; nor did ho even go through the form of asking some of the minority for their assent. Regarding my first knowledge of the removal of the harmonium, 1 am prepared to affirm that my statement concerning the same is quite correct -as to the 'bosl? re news flashing, &c. Alexandra, though progressing, has not yet reached the advanced stage of ' wire communication ' from house to house. Mr Maclaurin was too imaginative when he wrote that. I trust he will be practical now and ansiver the following questions : — Hare not a number of subscribers refused to sign his paper, and has he not ignored others ? Is it not true that the reason he gave, when soliciting signatures, was, that the Presbytery had not paid him certain monies due, and that to partly recoup him for losses thereby, he wished the harmonium to be sold for his benefit P Is it not also true that the monies above-montioned as not forthcoming, have been paid to him, or that they, shortly will be ?-— Mr Bruce having, I believe, informed him to that effect— the said monies being a sum of about £34. Mr Maclaurin having admitted the instrument to be the property of the subscribers— How does he claim it? ' ■

In conclusion, I may remark that if he refers to my former letter, he will see that ' I wished to state facts m justice to Mr Maclaurin and the subscribers,' not to justify him who cannot plead a justification for himself. I may add that it is immaterial to me whether the harmonium is m Te Awnmulu or Timbuctoo, but as it belongs io others besides myself, I have taken up tho matter nt their request. Thanking you, Sir, for your courtesy. — I am, &c, V. Roberts. Alexandra, 6th June, 1877.

P.S. — It will not be necessary for me to again trouble you, as the subscribers intend taking legal proceedings for recovery of the harmonium.

* [If such be the case, this correspondence of necessity must he closed.— Ed WT.] ; .