MR. BRYCE AND THE VOLUNTEERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume XXIII, Issue 61, 15 March 1882, Page 2

MR. BRYCE AND THE VOLUNTEERS. TO THE EDITOR.

£1 — It has been most amusing to me to perceive the immense amount of obtuseneas which you, sir, and the Wellington volunteers, especially those who have been writing nightly to your paper about the Easter encampment, are c apable of. It has all along been qnito evident to all rational persons that Mr. Bryce had no intention of refusing the use of the Hinemoa, but merely telegraphed to his colleagues that he alone waß not able to " authorise the expenditure," intending that it should be authorised by the Ministry a3 a whole at the next Cabinet meeting, and that then he would place the steamer at the disposal of the volunteers. Poor old Mr. Dick, in his simplicity, showed Mr. Bryce'a short telegram to the volunteers, who, perhaps, feeling that they were not capable of organising the Easter encampment properly, eagerly seized this opportunity of withdrawing their invitationa to the other volunteer corpß o? the colony. I am, Ac, Wellington, 14th March, 1882. [Our correspondent is conveniently oblivious that Mr. Bryce's telegram waa not worded as quoted by him, and would not bear the interpretation he suggests. Mr. Bryce said he "could not excuse" the expenditure, not a word about " authorising " it. We regard "Civilian's" imputation on the bona fides of the volunteers aB most unjust and uncalled for. — Ed. E.P ]