Protest from Waitati. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 19

Protest from Waitati. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — As one particularly interested in the ball recently given by tho bachelors of AVaitati I was somewhat annoyed at the very inaccurate and misleading report sent to you by a contributor to your paper. In your issue of 27th inst. Mr E. Johnson admits that he furnished the report. The knowledge of this fact changes my feeling of annoyance to ono of amusement. Mr Johnson is an old man, probably over 70 years, and a bachelor. He was not invited to the bachelors' ball; hence liis spleen- Neither was he present at the ball given by the young ladies of the district, ile was therefore not in a position to furnish you with a coirecl repoit of either function. Had he been present I may say that his opinion on. such a matter is considered by the people of: this district as worthless. I wish to correct only one of his misstatenients. He said that any young man attending the ball who had, not contributed towards the expense of same had to pay 3s for a ticket at the door. This is absolutely untrue. Those who attended were invited and neither money nor ticket were taken at the door. In fact there was no doorkeeperIn justice to the bachelors I represent. I hope, Sir, you will find space for this letter iv your valuable paper. I do not intend to take furthei notice of anything Mr Johnson may have to say on this matter, a newspaper discussion, on which is not likely to further the cause for which these gatherings were promoted — that is social intercourse among the people of this district. — I am, etc. Frank Dtslany, Hon. Sec. AVaitati Bachelors' Ball Committee. AVaitati, October 31.