OR SUTTER IN EXPLANATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3105, 14 March 1883, Page 2

OR SUTTER IN EXPLANATION.

[To THE EdITOB.] Sib,— The “Timaru Herald” o£ to-day, in reporting my speech in the Borough Council last night, omits part of what I said, although it was in partly to articles which appeared in the “Herald” of the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd of this month. Instead of giving what I did say, they gave the following in brackets“ The speaker here proceeded to make a special attack upon one of the members, but as we do not feel inclined to run the risk of being prosecuted for libel, we decline to publish it, notwithstanding his request to report his speech fully.” The public will be curious to know this dreadful libel, and as this is the second time the “Herald” has done exactly the same, and published the part of this in brackets, no doubt rests in my mind as to the object in excluding that part of my speech, which they do. It was as follows :—“ The first to skedaddle was the energetic Mr Jonas. He left the Council, and four other Councillors and the Mayor, soon after. Cr, Jonas’ resignation is dated June 3, 1879. He was elected 17th September, 1877, and when he left there was still one year and three months of his term of office to run.” I explained how Mr Jonas’ name was specially mentioned. It was the fact that his name alone was mentioned in connection with the Museum, and his energetic conduct, by Mr J. Eric .Davidson. —I am, &c., J. H. Suttee.

Timaru, March 13,1883. [Wo publish Mr Sutter’s remarks, because they are not libellous, as stated by the “ Herald,” and he has signed his own name to the letter; but what Mr Jonas’ retirement has to do with the Museum question, we fail to see. In his speech at the Harbor Board nomination, Mr Jonas stated that he retired from the Council because his private business did not allow his doing justice to the office —vide Mr Jonas’ speech as reported in our columns of Feb. 2. We think it a pity that public matters cannot be discussed by public men, without importing personalities into the .discussion.—Ed. S. C. Times.]