DR. HECTOR'S ALLEGED STATEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9144, 28 August 1888, Page 6

DR. HECTOR'S ALLEGED STATEMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The ambiguous letter of " Truth" requires some explanation as to what he means. Does he mean to say that he recollects hearing Dr. Hector make the alleged statement? If so, I shall feel obliged by his stating where and when, and in whose presence, it was made, authenticated by his signature. Or does ha mean that he recollects hearing that Dr. Hector had made such a statement ? If bo, he is quite correct. I recollect that al&o, and recollect Dr. Hector repeatedly denying that he had ever made such a statement. It is evidently the latter that " Truth" means, as his recollection refers to a period subsequent to gold having been found at the Thames, as he was '' deterred from investing." It is surely absurd to suppose that, after gold had been actually found at the Thames, and had been worked long before at Coromandel, that Dr. Hector would say " that there was no gold in the Thames district," and " proved that by no possibility could gold ever be found there," which is Pollex s statement. There is no doubt that when the wild excitement over the gold discoveries at the Thames occurred in 1867, Dr. Hector warned persons to be cautious how they invested, as no payable goldfield had previously been discovered in such strata. This is probably what "Truth" recollects, but that is very different from " Pollex's" statement, and it would have been better to-day for many men " who occupy the front rank in social standing," as well as for many others of the rank and file, had they paid more attention to Dr. Hector's cautions. As to " Pollex's" reliance on " universal belief," such arguments are of little value in these days of investigation as to matters of fact*. It would have been more manly if he had admitted that he had been erroneously informed ; but manliness is not a characteristic of writers of his type. Detraction and abuse of public men from behind the hedge of anonymity will not. I think, commend itself to the thinking portion of the community.— am, &c., August 25, 1888. Thomas B. Gillies.