"THE MISSING LOLLIES."

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 65, 9 February 1883, Page 2

"THE MISSING LOLLIES."

(TO THE EDITOR OP TttE STANDARD.)

SkR, — At a tea party at the Stoney Creek School, on the 15th December last, there was a present of lollies which came from Palmerston for the use of the school children. These lollies being missed on the day, there, was a good search made for them, but they could not be found. I heard nothing about the lollies until the return of the schoolmaster, on the 12th January. I was , sweeping out the school-room when the schoolmaster told me that I was accused of stealing the lollies by two parties, on which he (the schoolmaster) said that it could hot be, for they were m his possession, and also said that owing to the excitement of the party he took them into his dwelling-house m a mistake. A few days afterwards I requested him to keep and produce them on the night of the general meeting of householders. Now, Sir, what does he do? He goes and makes a second state* ment to the committee and house* holders, that he found them m the schoolroom the following morning, and that I was present when they were found. Now, Sir, I was not present when they were found. On the 27th January he came and made , a third statement to me, that it was his sister that found the lollies, not himself. Sir, if these lollies had been left for the use of the children these three statements would not be required. On the fourth day after the tea-party I went toj^ack the borrowed articles, when I found a quantity of bam m the porch adjoining tue school. Now, Sir, we. were short of ham on the night of the tea-party, how did tuis ham come there? As a malicious report was circulated that I took the lollies, and the schoolmaster has not taken the trouble to contradict it, I will feel obliged if you would insert tbis to remove the stigma cast upon, myself and my family, and I challenge the schoolmaster to deny the truth of this letter.— l am, &c, Patrick Cavanagh. Stoney Creek.