MR T. MACKENZIE ON POISON. TO THE BDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10449, 27 August 1895, Page 3

MR T. MACKENZIE ON POISON. TO THE BDITOR.

Sid,—The above member for Clufcha is lending himsfllf to slander and falsehood. In his statement before the Tariff Commission he mentioned me as the person who sent poison tt> the country. This I replied to in your cotir temporary, where the report was given. Having seen my letter explaining the circumstance, as I suppose he did, ho must love falsehood, or he would not have said on the floor of the House, as reported in to-da.y's Times, "that a Dunedin herbalist had habitually contraven«d the Sale of Poisons Act and sent out poisons concealed in other goods. He had a bill which thin man sent out to a customer to whom he supplied six lOoz brtttles in ODe month." Now, Sir, in the space of one inch this men has spoken three falsehoods, as the following fuclis will show. Anyone who doubta may call at my shop and see proof:—About 12 months ago I received a letter from a woman in the Clutha district-ask-ing if I would supply her with some laudanum, which she needed for a liniment. She being known as the wife of a respectable squatter I .believed her story and sent her the laudanum. A month later she sent an order for another lot. It was to ba sent for enclosure to a firm of drapers, who sent one pf their employees, who took it and signed for it. It was laballed "Poison." In all I gave six bottles iv about six months. I refused to give or pend any more. About two months after I received a latter from a solicitor threatening me with law if I sent any more. These are the facts. Mr Mackenzie has been careful not to give my name. I challenge him to give ib, and then we will see who is speaking the truth. lam sorry that I allowed mj self tn be deceived into supplying this person, who is unfortunately a victim of the opium habit. But surely her butbfldK?, who knows it, ought to communicate thefyefc to the trade. Had I known it I would no*", have scut ber a drop.—l am, &c, Dunedin, August 26, J.Neil.