THE CAMBRIDGE WEST HOTEL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1359, 17 March 1881, Page 2

THE CAMBRIDGE WEST HOTEL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The letter signed by "W. F. Madigan, " and published in your issue of the 15th instant, under the above heading, contained two or three such gross mis* statements of facts that I am reluctantly compelled to notice them. The letter said that "Between December and the last sitting of the Court a public meeting was held in Cambridge West. . . At this meeting Mr Morris, the secretary of the Total Abstinence Society, took upon himself to make a speech. Here two errors are implied which I deny. As secretary of the Society he names, I did not attend this meeting or make a speech. The Total Abstinence Society is not an aggressive Society : its object is the amelioration of society by persuasion and example only. Then, again, not being a resident in the district, I most carefully abstained from addressing the meeting at all ; but after it was over, and the chairman had vacated the chair, I made a statement, aa secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, somewhat to the effect mentioned by Mr Madigan, viz., "That the Society's opposition to his application was not in any way fermented by the publicans of Cambridge East." I still adhere to this statement most rigidly. The opposition of this Society arose out of its principles, and would have been exerted no matter who helped or opposed it. As regards the further statement : " Had Mr Morris gone further, and stated that for Home months past Mr Kirkwood had aided, not only by advice, &c," I can only say I am not aware of any advice having been given us by Mr Kirkwood. Speaking for myself, I say positively that Mr Kirkwood never said one word to me, or I to him, about the Cambridge West hotel license. As touching any material aid given, all I can say is, that the Society is willing to receive subscriptions or donations, come from what quarter they may. If Mr Madigan is jealous, and doubts the Society's impartiality, let him forward a five-pouud-note and test it. — I am, &c. T. H. W. Morris.