Correspondence.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 921, 18 May 1878, Page 2

Correspondence.

[Onr correspondence columns are impartiiilly open to all matters of public interest, but we do not, m any way identify ourselves Avith opinions expresssed therein.]

Sir, — I have just read your report of the proceedings m the H.M. Court at Hamilton, on Monday last, m which my name appears as defendant opposed to Capt. McPherson. A more unseemly attack upon an individual has never perhaps before been dared or perpetrated by a County Council, or any other public body, than this attack iioav made upon me by the Waikato County Council. There is a dispute between the County Conncil and the Cambridge Town Board as to the destination of fees levied under the Dog License Act . of 185-1. This lengthened correspondence, which has been carried on between tho parties, is emphatically expressive throughout of the intention of the Board to resist the Council by all lawful means m their unlawful efforts to extort this from us. Fearing the result at a fair and open trial of the question upon its merits, the Council hopes and strives m vain to gain a point, and to funk me into submission, as Chairman of the Board, by endeavouring to make me personally and individually responsible, and they summon iae to the criminal side of the Court for refusing to submit to their interference with Town revenue, for until proved to the contrary m open Court, this Dog Tax is town revenue, and the Council may howl for it m vain. The case thus appears m Court not as the " Clork of the County Council v. Chairman of the Town Board," but as "MoPheisin v. Clare." The end is not yet, sir, but I feel so indignant at their monstrous and deliberately insulting procedure towards me, and at this effort made by the Council to escape the trial of the real question, that I ask permission, through you, to request the public to withhold judgment for the present. I beg one word more with reference to th;i.t liri'if sub-sentence iv your rcp>rt " the defendant did not appear." It was at a quarter past three o'clock on Saturdiy afternoon thnt the Constable placed m my hand a summons to appear m the Court at Hamilton at eleven o'clock 011 Monday forenoon. I left Cambridge by the coach on the Monday morning, and alighting at Hamilton, without half a minute's delay, went straight to Messrs Whitaker and O 'Neil's offices. After a few minutes hurried conversation with the latter avc proceeded together towards the E.M. Court, and on the Avay were met with the information that the case had been heard and disposed of and the Court closed. It was a sharp morning ! — I am, &c, William C. Clave.

Cambridge, May 11