Correspondence.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1378, 26 February 1861, Page 3

Correspondence.

Sgs=ont Correspondence columns being- impartially open, Me are not to be identified with any opinions evpreosed therein.

To tlie Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, — T have just had my attention directed to a letter, signed «T. Cnspe, which appeared in your paper of the 15th instant, in which a vtiy simple matter is ->o distoited R.nd mis stated as te be made the subiect for j, most gross and malicious attack upon mo , to which statement I give the most unqualified contiadiction. The facts are simply these. Naturally sup wsmg I had a vote, in common with others — my ne ghbours who had become occupiers and fieeholders smco myself — I ananged with my son, who had told inw lie should vote for Mr. Chas. Taylor, to go together to WaiuWu foi that purprse. On my approaching the table the Returning Officer asked, " What name 2" I replied, Samuel "Vickers, of the Mauku. Upon looking at his Register he said, "I have S. C G-. Vickers." I said, "My name is Samuel Vicker, I am a fieeholdor at the Mauku, I ought to be theie." He then said, after a momentary pause, " I have only S. C. G. Vickers, freehold farm, 70 acies at Mauku ; are you that person '<" I immediately answered, "No, that is my son." "Then you have no vote'" was the reply. And this is called an attempt at personation ' Now for the alleged refusal to leave the loom ' Upon being told I was not on the Register, I turned to Mr. Plimpton, and addressed some common remaik about the election or state of the poll, really with no object but from a natural feeling of civility in not leaving the room without speaking to him. The Returning Officer immediately said, ho was not allowed to speak to any one, or hold conversation about the election, or words to that effect' nor was any one allowed to remain in the room, and therefore requested I would retire. Being somawhat surprised at this, after a moment's hesitation, I said I suppose this is the new law then l To which both he and Plimpton said, " Yes, that is now thel*w," and I at once withdrew. The whole affair did not occupy more than five minutes, probaby not so much. I utterly deny any refusal to leave, or that there was anything in my manner which could he construed into rudeness, or I had no idea of anything of the kind. As no one was present, besides the Returning Officer (Mr. Plimpton) but myself, I know not upon what information Mr. Crisp can have trumped up this absurd and malicious charge ; but the animus must be too apparent to jM. I abstain from touching upon this in a public paper, or indulging m any display of personalities, from the connection which exists between my family and Mr. Crisp's. Trusting to your sense of justice to insert this refutation of a base slander, I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Samuel VickersMauku, Feb. 22, 1861.