Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1028, 5 May 1857, Page 3

Correspondence.

*** Our correspondence columns being impartially open, we nre not to be mdentified with any opinion expressed therein.

To th Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, — In Saturday's issue of the 'New-Zealander,' under the head " Food Statistics," a grave charge is endeavoured to be laid on my shoulders, as late keeper of the public slaughter house, at Newmarket. A return is also published of the number of sheep and pigs slaughtered for the months January, Febmary, and March, endeavouring to show an excess of 287 sheep in March, and 25 pigs over the previous month, thereby endeavouring (for political purposes doubtless) to make it appear in the eyes of the public that I either sent in wrong returns or embezzled the money. I invite — yes entreat— any person curious on the subject to look over the following facts, which will show how little the persons connected with the above named journal care for private character, viz : — in January, 451 sheep were slaughtered, pigs, 40 in the same month ; February, 501 sheep, pigs, 19. The amount of these slaughtering fees I paid into the Provincial Treasury, and have in my possession receipts to show for the same. It is a matter of surprise to me, and many, how false returns cm creep into the ' New-Zealander,' which, if left uucontradicted, might remain as a stigma on my private character, when it is well known that, by the Superintendent calling for my returns, for January and February, he could correct the blunders of his own newspaper, as well as do justice to me as a public officer. I am, &c, Joseph Osborne. Onebunga, 4th May, 1857. [We trust, in justice to Mr. Osborne, that the fullest investigation will take place.— Ed.]

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir,— ln your paper of the 24th April you state that I voted at Auckland and Otahuhu ; no*; Sir, I beg you will contradict this statement, as I neflPer was in Otahuhu in my life, and do further challewge^any person to prove that I voted at any other place than Auckland at the late election. I am. Sir, Your obedient servant, John Andrews. Freeman's Bay, May 4, 1857. [What we stated was that Mr. Andrews' vote was recorded twice, which was the case. It by no means necessarily follows that Mr. Andrews was either *t the one place or the other. — Ed.]