THE MISSING LAD BROPHY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8141, 18 April 1888, Page 3

THE MISSING LAD BROPHY.

TO THE SDITOB. Sib, — I beg to crave a small space in your column to make an explanation. Mr Bropby, on Friday last, called ot my house, and being in hot passion would neither stay to her my apology or explanation, or correct my statement in a foir way, and it le&ves me no alternative but to do so through the PreßS. The statement Mr Brophy took such offence at was a pharse in a late letter of mine when in describing the missing lad I referred tp hiru as beiug " almost a deaf mute." This Mr Brophy stigmatises nB a base He, and asserts that tbe poor lad's faculties were unimpaired. I should be the last one to add any pain to the unfortunate ones, and am very scrry at unthinkingly having done so. My sole renson for using the pharse quoted wob to show tho urgent necessity for immediate action, and whioh 1 maintain had the desired effect. I am always very careful that my statements are correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and hearing the above in general talk with those well acquainted with the lad, I accepted it as a fact, having never seen the lad myself. I admit the pharse " afflicted, ore," though vague in expression, might have answered all the purpose, but I have given my reason for using the words I did, which, I trust, is pardonable, but if Mr Brophy 's assertions are correct it but tends to intensify the mystery. I have no wish to retaliate, but I would rather the public juddge, if I have invited tbo base insinuation? meted out by Mr Brophy, and I may add that it will always be my endeavour to give my correspondence clearly and fully to the best of my ability so long as I remain Your Okato Cobbespondemt. [We feel convinced that our correspondent and all must sympathise with Mr Brophy and his family in their trouble, and no one would say or do wilfully, we are sure, anything that it was thought would annoy them. — Ed. T.jH.]