THE CHARGES AGAINST THE LATE MR SPERREY.

Evening Star, Issue 8406, 6 January 1891, Page 2

THE CHARGES AGAINST THE LATE MR SPERREY.

Major Mair, whose wife is the only surviving child of the late Mr Sperrey (Property Tax Commissioner), has received the following letter from the Premier. It is dated December 10, but was delayed in receipt owing to misoarriage in the post: — Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th December, 1890. Dear Sir,—l must apologise for leaving your , letter of the 10th Oc.ober so long unanswered; but I have been waiting to consult with the Attorney-General on the subject as to whether any, and, if so, what action should be taken by the Government in regard to the obarges made against the late Mr Sperrey. I had, however, Been the Solictor-General, and I have seen the Attorney - General on the subject of the desire expressed by Mrs Mair that an inquiry should be held into the charges made against her late father by Mr Thompson, of Marsden. I had also a conversation with Mr Sperrey prior to his death on the subject of these charges, and I had to'd him that the Government bad always felt the utmost confidence in him, and placed no faith whatever in the shameful and ridiculous charges made against him, but that I considered he would get no real satisfaction from a royal commissi m Inquiring into the matter; for that people who could beliet a such shameful statements as those made would be bad enoogh to still believe them, whatever a royal commission might report. Those who knew Mr Sperrey had every confidence in his integrity aad storling uprightness, and would not be influenced by any such statements as those made against him. The Government bave the deepest sympathy with Mrs Mair in her feelings for her fathei's memory, and thoroughly appreciate her deeiro that his honor should be upheld and his name freed from such imputations as have been made; but I sincerely trust Mrs Mair will agree with me that an inquiry at the present stage would be praoiically useless, and that the assurance which I how give her in the name of the Government of their absolute disbelief in any of the accusations made against her father, and o£ tno complete confidence tuey had in nia administration of his department, as well as their respect for himself personally, will be sufficient to remove any feelings which the gross attack upon Mr Sperrey may have temporarily raised.—Believe me to be, yours faithfully, H. A. Atkinson.