"UNCLE PETER'S ESTATE."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7828, 22 June 1909, Page 4

"UNCLE PETER'S ESTATE."

To the Editor. Sir,—With your kind permission I would like to reply to a recent letter in your valuable paper, under the title "Uncle Peter's Estate," and signed "One of the Boys," as this points directly to me and one of the members of the Rangitata Road Board, called " Father," in a previous letter in your paper, entitled "Is Honesty the Best Policy ?" Now, it is quite evident that " One of the Boys" thinks lam the author. I may tell him I had much pleasure in reading that letter, and consider it a credit to the writer, whoever he may be. It was a clear and truthful description of past events, so if the author has no objections I will allow "One of the Boys" to flounder on in his mistakes as far as I myself am concerned; but where " Father" is concerned, I can give a most emphatic contradiction tq his insinuations. If it had been "One of the Boys," as he signs himself, who wrote this letter, I should be sorry for them. Well, the writer accuses "Father" of aiding and abetting me in my action against them for damages. Now, let me tell the" writer that "Father" had neither spoken nor communicated with me for months previous to, and several weeks after, the case : was settled. So much for the writer's insinuations. . The writer says "Father" only got in one of the Directors of Uncle Peter's estate by the skin of his teeth. I may tell him that " Father" was appointed to that honourable position years ago, and holds his position with honour —so much so that Undo Peter has not yet thought fit to nominate another for his place. Let the writer try and follow in , his footsteps, and hold his position as long. Now a little about myself, as I am the leading character in the writer's letter, and, as he says, am going about crying bitterly. If so, I would deserve sympathy, but as I was the victorious character (another of the writer's blunders) I will be merciful, and simply advise him to do his duty and run straight in future, for " Honesty is the best policy." FRANK EMERSON. Lismore, June 19, 1909. [It is not admissible for one writer to point to what he believes to be the identity of another who writes anonymously. This correspondence is now closed. —Editor.]