Mr Ryley's Examination. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2240, 4 February 1897, Page 26

Mr Ryley's Examination. TO THE EDITOR.

I Sir, — As one who knows Mr Elder, of | ! Kakanui, fairly well, I would like to express j ' regret that Mr Ryley should h&vo characterised J the transaction between them as a swindle on ! the part of the former. Swindler is au ugly j j name, and I trust was not used maliciously. I ( can understand, under the circumstances in '■ which he found himself, it might have been used thoughtlessly, and I trust this was so. In speaking of himself, Mr Ityley sayi he is uo ; accountant. Well, Mr Elder is only a plain farmer, and I think I may s»y much less of an accountant even than Mr Ryley, and I rather I think this facb had much to do with the situation. Had either of them, years ago, had an j accurAto statement prepared, showing bow I matters stood between them, it would doubtless | have been better for both ; but, as it happened, ' affairs were, I believe, allowed to drift until j ! neither knew exactly how matters stooi. • Might I bo allowed to refer to another phase, j Mr Elder told me at the time the 76 acres were ' purchased, which was years ago, that the purchare was made at the instigation of Mr Ryley, and that the price paid was, if I rightly re- < , member, £25 per acre. The price might have ! | been considered a. reasonable one then, but look- ) j ing baofe now it cannot be said th%t the land I i was worth ib. At Mr Elder's bankruptcy the < land was sold for some £10 per acre le«s. lam not quite sure of the price, but the difference bej tween the first cost and the sale prico would j account for some £,750 of fh« deficiency. — I am, &0., John Blair, (Lats of Nimino and Blair). j Mornington, February 3.