ATHENÆUM.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 333, 25 August 1868, Page 2

ATHENÆUM.

Sir :—Mr. "Whitford under the nom deplume of amember of Committee charges me in your issue of this daywith being guilty of inaccuracies calculated to mislead the public, and impede the working of the Committee. By referring to my correspondence, I find that I merely ask you to append to your report of the Athenseum my motives for declining to act as collector: " I felt bound to insist upon giving authentic receipts to every subscriber, who favoured me with his subscription. This wa3 thought unnecessary by some members of the Committee, consequently I refused to act." Where can the inaccuracy be ? or where the statement calculated to mislead the public, or impede the Committee, Is it true or false ? The sequel will show. Previous to the last Athenseum meeting, that I atended, Mr. Whitford as secretary, supplied me with sixty. authentic Athenaeum members receipt tickets, which were to be issued by Mr. Munro and myself as joint collectors. Immediately after that meeting the Treasurer made a statement which implied a doubt as to our right to use them, I turned to the secretary and asked him whether they were to be used or not. At his request I returned them; telling him at the same time that I objected to collect without them. He then offered to substitute for them a receipt book, headed " Nelson South-west Goldfields" which I took to be Government Departmental Stationery. This 1 instantly refused, and for obviotis resons, apart from the impropriety of using Government stationery for a private purpose. I conclude that such receipts could not be satisfactory to subscribers who are asked to enroll themselves as members of the Athenaeum, either as Ist, 2nd or 3rd class subscriber.*, with the object of their securing to themselves privileges commensurate with their subscriptions, and in accordance with the scale fixed by the Committee ; so far my motive. But perhaps it is the latter part of my statement that Mr Whitefoord condemns. If he wishes to assert in contradiction, that some members of the Committee did think it unnecessary to issue those authentic receipts, then let it be explained why they were not issued, and why, after requiring me to return those with which he had supplied me, did he in answer to my objection offer his Nelson South West Goldfields' forms. Before concluding what I have to advance in vindication of my letter, I venture to hope that those gentlemen who are with me on the Athenaeum Committee, will not think that I disrespect either their opinions or their actions; such is not the ease, although I claim the privilege personally to be ruled by my own judgment. I felt that my action as represented in the Athenseum report, appeared inconsistent, until explained by the addition of the motives which had actuated me.

I will now turn the letter No. 2, which in tny opinion is very senseless and illogical. I am inclined to characte\ise it as an unfounded and unprovoked attack against myself. But its inherent weakness is so apparent, that I really feel inclined to laugh at it, as futile and ridiculous. Perhaps the writer was himself conscious of its demerits, and therefore forbore to add his name. He reminds me of the ostrich hiding its head for the purpose of concealment, but leaving its body exposed, inviting detection ; so this rara avis, whose name is hidden, yet is plainly revealed by his writing: printed receipts." So you did, Mr Whitefoord! and therefore as I admire candour, and hate concealment, permit me the honor of assisting you off with your disguise. He says " up to the present time the Committee received no intimation" to the effect that I declined to act, and therefore it appeared

to the Committee that I was not disposed to perform duties which I voluntarily undertook. What appeared to the Committee is not for me to decide, but ac least neither Mr Whitefoord nor the Treasurer could plead ignorance as to my motives, or ray intentions, and moreover Mr Jno. Munro, my colleague, was informed both of my scruples and disinclination to act; T am informed that he explained them fully to the Committee, for which kindness T feel obliged to him, being unavoidably absent myself. Tn conclusion, I must say that T think it rather hard, considering the relationship in which I stand to the Athena?um, that I should be accused of doino: anything to impede the work of the Committee. Hoping that this will be sufficient apology for my treating the matter at such length. I am, Sir, Tour most obedient Servant, E. J. O'CoNoit. P. S. Premising that this will be like a lady's letter very Ions:, but the vital part in the postscript, I must add that since writing the above, I attended the Athenaeum meeting, at 4 p. m. to day, and there heard the secretary read the minutes of last meeting ; the record is as follows, " Mr. Munro reported to the Committee that Mr O'Conor, hiscolleague,declined to act,' as the receipt were not to be given' Mr. Harvey, was then appointed in his stead." That minute if published, is all that I desired from the first. I presume that it is incontrovertible evidence that the Committee did know that I declined to act, and why. Perhaps T maybe allowed also to infer that positions are now reversed, and that I leave the advocate for truth i n the dock, to answer as to his own I veracity. E. J. O'C.