An explanation.

Otago Witness, Issue 1949, 2 July 1891, Page 11

An explanation.

TO THB EDITOR.

Sib,— l regret very much that there may have been an inaccuracy in my letter, published in your paper of 12th inßt., with reference to the action of the Minister of Lands in connection

with the Inveroargill Land Office. I stated that 1 by direotion of the present Government a saw mill area was granted to the New Zealand Pine Company, ana I now think that this may probably not be correct. A few days before I left the office Mr Spence brought a letter whioh he had written to the Secretary for Crown Lands about this area, and .which had been returned from Wellington with an'endorsement, into the Land Office and laid it on the table, remarking to me that he was very glad thd Government had granted this, as odium enough had been oast npon him for the monopoly, which he was powerless to prevent. I was busy at' the time, and did not look at the letter,, but it never occurred to me to doubt that the area had been granted until it was mentioned to me a day or two after my letter had appeared in the Otago Daily Times. As Mr Spance is not in tbe colony, I cannot cow refer to him ; but it appears to me probable, as nothing is known in the Land Office hare, and in the face of the Minister's denial, that he must have misinformed, me, or tbat I misunderstood him. I am. exceedingly sorry that this should have happened; as I have no wish whatever to do. any injustice to Mr M'Kenzie. I had thought every statement made in my letter was absolutely unchallengeable, and) in fact no other point has been challenged, or is likely to be. I have written Mr Spence on tbe subject ; and if there is no foundation for the statement I made, I shall be only too glad to confess my error and withdraw the statement as publicly as it was made. — I am, &0., Invercargill, June 25. J. S. Roros.