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Mr. S. Saundbes, Christchurch, to Hon. A. R. Guinness, Wellington. Sir, — Lyttelton Times Office, Christchurch, 15th September, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, stating that the House of Representatives has declared by resolution that the publication of a leading article in the Lyttelton Times of Bth September is a breach of the privileges of the House, and calling upon me to explain how 1 came into possession of the information contained in the article. In reply, I have to express regret that a breach of the privileges of the House has been committed, and to assure you that it never occurred to me that the publication of the article in question would constitute such an offence. All the material information contained in the article was published in the Neiv Zealand Times of the sth and 7ch September, and I assumed from the manner in which it was presented in that journal that its publication had been authorised in the usual way. The information was of great importance to the general public ; and, believing that it had been supplied to the New Zealand Times through the proper channels, I had no hesitation in reprinting it. Any information contained in the article published in the Lyttelton Times which was not obtained from the Neiv Zealand Times was obtained in the ordinary way by inquiry and from public documents. The figures concerning endowments and free places, which appear to have been responsible for bringing the article under the notice of the House, were compiled from a return marked 8.-128, which was distributed by the Government Printer some weeks ago. No person gave me any information concerning the contents of any confidential document before any Committee of the House, and such information as was published in the Lyttelton Times was obtained in the manner I have explained. I hope that in these circumstances the House will recognise that no breach of its privileges was intended. I have, &c, S. Saundekb, Editor. Hon. A. R. Guinness, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wellington. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,425 copi»s), £11 n s. 6J.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3. Price, 6d.)