THE LATE ELECTION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3275, 11 August 1871, Page 2

THE LATE ELECTION.

*> [to the editor of the independent.] Sir, — A letter appears in last evening's " Posfc" bearing the signature of "W. V. Jackson," in which my name is mentioned, and words put into my mouth which I never used. Perhaps, sir, it would be besfc to give you an exact account of what did take place, so far as I am concerned. My attention having beeu called to an ad* vertisement in tho " Post," stating that " all accounts for Mr Seager's election were to be senfc in to W. V. Jackson, Secretary of the Reform League," I asked Mr Seager if I should send in my account to that gentleman. He replied that he knew nothing about the advertisement, that ifc had been inserted without his knowledge, and instructed me to send in my bill to him. Subsequently an arfcicle appeared in fche Independent commenting upon Mr Jackson's advertisement, and pointing out fche position ifc placed Mr Seager in. I met Mr Seager fche same morning, and he reminded me fchafc he had previously informed me fchat he had nothing fco do with fche Reform League. I told him that Mr Jackson's advertisement had evidently misled the Editor of the Independent, and that he ought to havo contradicted it. He said fchafc he had intended doing so, but that as the Independent had commented upon it, he did nob deem it necessary fco do so. He further told me that he did not consider himself indebted to fche Reform League for his election, " fchafc he went in free and unfettered, and fchat too much importance had been attached fco the Reform League, in giving it the credit of returning him to fche Council, when in faofc ifc was nothing bufc a myth." The foregoing is a concise account of what really did take place. I regret that personalities should have been imported into fchis discussion, as no public good can thereby be subserved. I never made use of the words quoted fchafc " I would nofc, on any account, render my bill fco Mr Jaokson." Tin-as-sertion is simply absurd, for ifc waa a pure matter? of business. I presented my bill for MeasrßTravers and Richmond's election advertisements ' to Mr Jackson, as the recognised Secretary to their Committee, and it waa duly paid ; but as I had heard nothing of Mr Jaokson iv con* necfcion with the lato election until it was over, I naturally dosired to know whether I should present my bill to him or to the persons from whom I had received instructions to do the work. I have not the slightest antipathy to Mr Jackson, and would have no more objection to present a bill to him than to any ofcher person, provided ho wob fcbe proper person to receive it. — Yours &c, Thomas M'Kenzie. P.S. — I have consulted Mr Seager upon this matter, and having read fchis letter over to him he does nofc demur to a single statement contained therein.