THE LATE MB SPERREY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9185, 6 January 1891, Page 3

THE LATE MB SPERREY.

Tho following, which speaks for itself, ha boon handed to us for publication ; u Premier's Office, “ Wellington, 10th December, 1800. “Dear Sir,—l must apologise for leaving your letter of 10th October so long nnanswerod, but I have been waiting to consult with the Attorney-General on the subject as to whether any, and if so, what action, should bo taken by the Government in regard to the charges mad© against the late Mr Sperrey. “1 have, however, seen the SolicitorGeneral, and 1 have seen tho Attorney* General, on the subject of tho desire expressed by Mrs Muir that an enquiry ohould bo held into the charges made against her late father by Mr Thompson, of Marsden. 1 had also bad conversations with Mr Sperrey prior to his death on the subject of those charges, and 1 had told him that the Government bad always felt tho utmost confidence in him, and placed no faith whatever in the shameful and ridiculous charges made against him, but that I con* aidered ho would get no real satisfaction from a Royal Commission inquiring into tho matter, for that people who could believe such shameful otaterneuts as those made would bo bad enough still to believe them whatever a Royal Commission might report. Those who knew Mr Sperrey had everyconfidonce in his integrity and sterling uprightness, and would not be influenced by any such statements ua those made against him.

“Tbo Government have the deepest sympathy with Mrs Mair in her feelings for her father’s mommy, and thoroughly appreciate her desire thot bis honour should be upheld and hia name freed from auoh imputations as have been made; but I sincerely trust Mrs Mair will agree with me that an inquiry at the present stage would be practically useless, and that the assurance which I now give her, in the name of tbo Government, of their absolute disbelief in any of the accusations made against her father and of the complete confidence they had in bis administration of 'his Department as well as their respect for himself personally, will be aufiicieut to remove any feeling which the gross attach upon Mr Sperrey may have temporarily raised, “Believe mo to bo, “ Youia faithfully, “(Sgd.) H. A. Atkinson. “Gilbert Mair, Ksqre., “Wellington.”