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Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 101, 11 December 1852, Page 9

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sik, —I am directed by the Committee of the Christchurch Colonists' Society to write to you, in order to remove, if possible, a false impression under which you appear to labour, with regard to a correspondence which has iecently taken place between that Society and four gentlemen who have been requested by it to allow themselves to be put in nomination as Candidates for the representation of the Christchurch Districts in the General Assembly of New Zealand.

In your Paper of the 4th instant, you state that there is something ludicrous, or rather ironical, in the replies of these gentlemen to the invitation ; and you conclude by saying that " all this looks very like humbug," and deserves to be denounced as such. The Committee desire me to enclose herewith a copy of the correspondence to which you have alluded, and to draw your intention to the fact that there is not a word in it, from which ridicule or irony of any kind can be implied.

Mr. Watts Russell, so far from " altogether ignoring the Society," of which he was himself one of the earliest members, conveys to the Society his " sincere thanks for the honour they have done him in expressing their desire that he should become a Candidate."

Mr. Fitzgerald says that he is " deeply sensible of the honour which the Society have done him in proposing him as one of the members for this settlement," and that he shall "feel grateful for any support or assistance which the Society may be able to offer in the event of his election for Lyttelton being contested," and concludes by giving his " cordial thanks to the Society for their communication." The Committee are at a loss to discover any " grave irony" in these words ; especially as they conceive that Mr. Fitzgerald, who actively co-ope-rated with the Society in a most important crisis of its affairs, is fully aware that a considerable number of its members possess not only influence, but the qualification to become voters, in the town of Lyttelton as well as in the Christchurch Districts.

Mr. Stoddart says he " deeply feels the honour the Society have done him in making the request, and would most gladly have responded to it," but for the reasons which have already been published. He concludes "with sincere thanks to the Society for the honour they have done him." The Committee request me to inform you that the Society have addressed a second letter to Mr. Stoddart, expressing their confidence in his capacity for public business, and urging him to re-consider whether he cannot, without too great private sacrifice, become a Candidate.

Mr. Wortley, who was also an early member of the Society, expresses, like the other gentlemen, his " deep sense of the honour" done him by the Society in making1 the request. He explains, in terms which by their modesty and courtesy justify the confidence reposed in him by the Society, that he is unwilling to enter into competition with gentlemen who may be considered fitter than himself, through greater age and more mature judgment, to represent the interests of the requisitionists. He concludes by saying that, should the " constituency still continue to wish him to be put in nomination, he will gladly avail himself of the support which the Society have offered," and "shall hope to take advantage of the influence they will possess."

The Committee think it unnecessary to discuss with you the question, whether the Society has acted rightly in considering the forthcoming elections as a most important one of those " matters of public interest," for the discussion of all which it was formed; because the great majority of its members not only think that a becoming course, but appear determined to persevere in it. But lam desired to express the regret of the Committee that you should, without more careful inquiry, have denounced to the public as " ludicrous," " ironical," and " humbug," a correspondence so earnest and straightforward on the part of the Society,—so frank, courteous, and genuine on the part of the gentlemen whom it addressed, —as that on which you have commented. The Committee trust that, as there is no other journal in the Settlement, you will oblige them by giving.insertion to this letter. The enclosed correspondence is also open to publication; but would probably intrude too much upon your valuable space. I am, Sir, Your very obedient servant, 1 E. Jerningham Wakefield, Secretary of the Christchurch Colonists' Society.