THE ISLAND BLOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 30 October 1869, Page 3

THE ISLAND BLOCK.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Snt, — i n;,,>me that not even my most bitiui- '.■noiny can accuse me of anxiety to rush into print whenever a storm of vetn^.j.-vi Mi has burst upon my unhappy head. My ainsim ia usually to live down chese uaae dlv ranks, and I only violate it on thia occasion because the position of my opponent, and his high reputation as a magistrate and a publican, gives an air of probability to his accusations likely to mislead the more credulous portion of uhe public. The attack I complain of waa made at a public meeting recently held at Roxburgh — a meeting, I may premisej of which I had no official intimation, and where 1 wa3 chaigad with the most iieinous offences without ha y big the opportunity accorded me of justifying my character before the public. Tiie object of the meeting was to discuss the conduct of the Government in reference to the [aland Block, and Mr John lieighton— l b3g his pardon, John Beighton, Esq., J.P. in the course :>f his s|}eech referred to the boring rods, and not only alleged that I had been instrumental in having the land put up for sale instead of having it leased, but abo was kind enough to allude to me as a person who had lent himself as a tool to Big Clark. In reply to the former allegation, I may state that it was chiefly owing to my exertions that the land was first tlirowu open for leaain" uurposea, and I am and always have been consistently opposed to its sale. Believing Lt to be auriferous, J considered it only just to the mining commuuity to have it prospected, and had 1 not been disappointed by the Government, who supplied rods without the tubing, so requisite in such ground, I should have long ere this set afc rest the question aa to ita auriferous uhuracter. The second count in the indictment I repudiate with disdain as scurrilous, false, mid without the slightest foundation. Ifc is an accusation Mr LJeigh ton would not have dared to utter in my presence. lie must have disgusted even his most ardent followers by so cowardly an attack on an absent man. Hut L fear L trespass on your valuable spuee 7 an intrusion you will pardon when you consider the greatness of Hie provocation offered to me. — I am, &c, Chart.es NicHorsoir.