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Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 145, 15 October 1853, Page 7

To the Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sin,—-I am sorry to find that an error on your part lias given occasion for the letter published in your last by Mr. Higgins. The following are the particulars of the case. Prior to the time of driving the sheep, written notice that they were diseased was served by me to all the settlers through whose runs the3 r were to pass; and there existed a mutual understanding between those parties and myself, that it was done for the purpose of testing the efficacy of the law of trespass, with regard to the scab. Unknown to me, Mr. Higgins applied for a summons against me to appear on the following Tuesday : whereupon I immedi-

ately requested that he would agree to defer the case until the day following, both for the convenience of myself and the settlers of the surrounding district. To this application he complied, but on the day agreed upon, to ray great surprise and annoyance, I was informed by the magistrates that the case had been adjudicated on the previous day. Before concluding, I would observe that Mr. Higgins would appear to desire the position of a great Quixotic Protectionist against scab, even at the [expense of being deemed that most questionable of characters —a common informer; but the whole tone and tenor of his letter exhibits plainly that, when wrtting it, he was influenced by very different feelings, than those which the settlers and others might be inclined to give him credit for ; —feelings neither creditable to the head nor the heart, but rather the miserable exhibition of petty envy and personal malevolence. I say this with the less hesitation as the writer of the letter seems to be an utter stranger to that " sensitive nature" for which he gives me such liberal credit. ; One word more. I have'falluded to Mr. Higgins as the author of the letter in question, but I believe that he has only given his n?,me to a composition of which he did not write a single line; and has brought to his assistatance one not destitute of talent, and ever ready with epistolary effusions. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, J. S. Cayebhill. Lyttelton, Oct. 8.