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Press, Volume I, Issue 17, 14 September 1861, Page 6

To the Editor of ' The Press. 1 Sir,—Permit mc through the medium of your paper to ask what comstitutes bribery at elections, and at what period is the Bribery act in force prior to the election, and when does it terminate afterwards. Prior to the Avon district election, a meeting was called at Papanui by Mr. Thomson, which I attended, and after hearing the exposition of the candidates who were present, the table was covered with wine, brandy, ale, porter &c, &c, of which I was invited to partake, by Mr. Thomson, which I imderstood he paid for; and yesterday I was driven up to Papanui from Christchurch to vote, in a vehicle which I was told Mr. Thompson had provided, for I had nothing to pay either up or down: a reply will oblige, Yours respectfully, FEEEMAN. Christchurch, 10th September, 1861. (To the Editor of 'The P/w.'J Sir, —I am reluctantly compelled to notice an effusion of Mr. Jas. Keetley in your last, at the meeting referred to at which I received my award for the best plough. Mr. Keetly challenged mc to meet him at the Puccarton match, with wheeled ploughs, an antiquated implement that I never have made, except under special instructions, and never intend to make. This I declined doing but informed him I should send down a swing plough ; this was perfectly understood, and the competing ploughs of both parties underwent there preliminary trials on adjoining paddocks, Mr. Keetley actually came and witnessed the last trial of my plough, previous to its being sent to lliccarton; his ploughs were also sent down then, and at the last moment when the judges were prepared ! to decide upon there merits, he informed the Secretary that he did not intend to compete. The reason for such conduct is best known to himself. For the future I shall treat Mr. Keetley as a myth, he shifts his ground so readily, that competition connot bo brought to bear upon him. His mimd seems bent on achieving literary fame, instead of plough making, but for myself intend to stick to the anvil, and shall take no further notice of his self-satisfied epistles. I am, yours obediently, JAMES ANDERSON. Kaiapoi, Sept. 12, ISGI.