IN DEFENCE OF WELLINGTON. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 74, 28 March 1914, Page 6

IN DEFENCE OF WELLINGTON. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I should be glad if you would give me the opportunity of replying to (and, I hope, refuting) the allegations of "Christchurch Sport" regarding Mr. Scotland's unfortunate accident. It has been fashionable during the last few days for all and sundry to heap anathema upon the Wellington public, which ha 3 been made the common scapegoat in the affair. I cannot understand a stranger interfering in a matter which does not in the least concern him, and of which he only displays his profound ignorance. He says that Mr. Scotland was forced to go up. On Saturday afternoon the question was put to the .spectators, who freely agreed that the man should not be asked to risk his life in the wind that was blowing. Ever since Mr. Scotland, according to the daily papers, has been most anxious to fly, in order to vindicate his reputation with the Wellington public. On the occasion oT "the disaster he decided, as reported in your paper, "after due consideration" (or similar words) to make the flight. There was no attempt at coercion. Your correspondent states, further, that the people forced Mr. Scotland to fly, "because if he did not they lost their shilling." If "Christchurch Sport" had reflected for a moment, he would have seen the gross error he was making. It is quite obvious that the people who attended on Wednesday could not possibly have been those who paid 'on Saturday, and who formed the bulk of the losers. Perhaps "Christchurch Sport" has two holidays in the week. , I hope you will pardon the length of this letter, but it is high time that someone came to the support of Wellington, which, because here Mr. Scotland had the bad fortune to wreck his machine, has been the subject of abuse and slander from all who choose to dip pen into ink. Perhaps "Christchurch Sport," to show his sincerity, will make a substantial donation towards the fund which the much-despised Wellington public is raising, that Mr. Scotland's loss may not fall too heavily upon him. — I am, etc., CAUDRON. 28th March. /