ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 31, 18 November 1843, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

The Nelson Examiner. To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, — The Government Brig being here for some days past, I conceive it a dereliction of duty on the part of the Nelson Examiner not to have inserted my letter this week ; I therefore take the liberty of furnishing you with a copy, of which you are at liberty to make what use you may think proper. I I am, &c. John Ns. Beit. Nelson, 27th Oct., 1843. (Copy.) ' ' Pro r erttate vzc/tlo. To the Editor of the Nelson Examiner. Sir, — In your paper of the 14th instant you notice, in chastising terms, the exagerated statements and 1 misrepresentations of the Southern Cross, and quote as a fair sample of the whole a paragraph, stating " that a very numerously signed petition, " praying for the removal of the late Police " Magistrate, Mr. Thompson; on account of " his unfitness for this situation, had been " presented." Upon this you observe, "Our " fellow settlers need not be told how utterly " false this is — that no such petition was ■ " ever presented, &c, &c." Never having had an opportunity of know- ] ing the late Mr. Thompson, I cannot possibly have any feeling for or against that gentleman except those which common humanity inspires, that of sincere regret for his untimely end. — I wish the following observations therefore to be considered as only applicable for the furtherance of truth in the statements of facts, without reference to individuals. ; I arrived here on the 14th June, only two days after the unfortunate Expedition had sailed, within a week of that day and before the disastrous event was known, I was re-

quested by the Manager, of the Local Bank, Mr. M' Donald, to sign a petition which was lying at his office for signatures, and was already numerously signed, to the effect alledged by the Southern Cross, and prayinofor the appointment of a gentleman therein named in the room of Mr. Thompson. I refused to sign this petition, on the grounds that I- was too new in the Colony to express an opinion, and that it appeared to me an undue interference with the functions, of Government, and especially that it was not couched in terms which could be favourably received by any public functionaries. I do no not know whether this petition was ever presented, but as I presume that you could not have been entirely ignorant of its existence, I have thought it right to recall your attention to the fact, and requesting your insertion of the present in your paper. I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, John Ns. Beit. Nelson, 22nd October, 1843.