THE QUEEN V. HON. J. B. WHYTE.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—On my returning to Auckland yesterday from a visit to my native country, Scotland, I was much surprised to find that my _ name had been publicly mentioned during my absence, in what I think was a most unwarrantable manner, in connection with the prosecution for conspirary, instituted by the Audit- Department against the Hon. J. B. Whyte, M.L.C. I may say at once that I do not know Mr. Whyte, and have never to my knowledge seen him, nor have I ever had any communication with him direct or indirect during the whole course of my life. It has been asserted that I was spirited out of the country in order that I might not be called as a witness for the Crown in the case against Mr. Whyte. This statement is perfectly unfounded. I left for Scotland, in no way hurriedly, upon family business. It was well-known to my friends for some time previous to my departure, that I was contemplating a visit to the Old Country, and the suggestion of being "spirited away" is as ludicrous as it is untrue. It has also been said that I refused, after receiving a subpoana, to come on shore from the s.s. Tainui, the ship by which I left Wellington for England. The fact is when I received the subpoena from the hands of a constable, who came in a steam-tender, I was on the high seas, and the constable retired precipitately from the Tainui, fearing to be carried too far from the Coast. I showed the subpoena to the authorities of the ship, and was informed it was impossible for me to be put back. Had the Crown wished me to attend as a witness in the case, very slight enquiry would have enabled them to ascertain the date of my departure, and my evidence could have been taken before I left the colony. I am now here, and shall be glad to give such evidence as I can upon the subject of my land transactions with the Government if the authorities so desire.—l am, etc., Archibald Grandison, Parliament-street, August 3,1892.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8948, 4 August 1892, Page 3
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361THE QUEEN V. HON. J. B. WHYTE. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8948, 4 August 1892, Page 3
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