MR HUGHES' DENIAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8949, 4 December 1890, Page 3

MR HUGHES' DENIAL.

TO THE EDITOE.

Sir, — At the request of my Committee, I trespass once more upon your space, for the purpose of giving an emphatic denial to a statement circulated by Mr Smith and some of his supporters to the effect that I had regaled nay friends at Urenui with alcoholic beverages. All who were present can testify to this being untrue. While the story has amused me, it has made many of my friends indignant, heace my noticing it. How hard up ior argumeut my two opponents must be is apparent when one remembers that at tbe outset of this campaign I was denounced as being ultra teetotal, while now I am denounced because, bo they Bay, I am not teetotal enough. I would also take this opportunity to say that I will not attempt to discuss with Mr Elliot the statements alleged to have been made by me at a meeting held over thirteen years ago — statements which at this distance of time I would not like either to admit or to deny ; but the impression conveyed "by Mr Elliot's statement ia erroneous. But this I will do — I express my regret that at two or three of my meetings, when referring to the advice of the News to select " a practical man " for Parliament, 1 have been derisively asked whether Mr Elliot was even a practical farmer. Though led to speak thus of him through his having ceased to farm for many ye?rs, I admit that I had overlooked the fact that at one time he carried on farming in a large and enterprising way. While cheerfully saying this, I would correct Mr Elliot when he says I made large promises of public works, &c, to the Mokau people. I merely indicated works and commerces that were urgently required for th* development of the district, and I said what I now repeat, namely, that they are such as I can reasonably and conscientiously advocate. And now, sir, as the contest is near its close, let me thank you for the courtesy which you have shown me throughout. — I am, &c, R. Clinton Hughes.