NOT CORNERED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 471, 3 August 1899, Page 18

NOT CORNERED.

TO THE EdITOB. Sib, —No humble pie was eaten by me on July 16, 1899 I made two statements respecting Mr Hulse’s position, one of which Mr Hulse stated was wrong. I immediately accepted his statement, and, in a manly, straightforward way, admitted I had been misinformed,"and withdrew the statement publicly. I regret that I cannot' compliment you on the style and language used in your editorial, and think it must reflect the views of the writer rather than the opinions of your readers. One recommendation you give we shall continue to adopt . to tell the people the truth about the liquor traffic, and could wish that you would follow the same good advice. As I still deny using the words attributed to me, perhaps your informant will make the statutory declaration. I trust he will narrate the whole of the conversation, as it will be interesting reading. I have not forgotten the conversation I had with Mr E Norden and two other gentlemen, although in your estimation they have attained to a position of respectability 1 cannot hope to aspire to. Believing as I do that the people, through the ballot box, should themselves settle the question of license or no license, I am quite conte t to leave the question as to my reliability to the judgment of my fellow citizens, among whom I have resided for nearly forty years. —I am, etc., Robeet Feench. [We give publicity to a further letter from Mr Robert French. We have never stated that Mr E.' Norden was present at the conversation when Mr French used the words we have taken exception to. Asa matter of fact, Mr Norden came up afterwards, and he questioned Mr French about the interruption of Mr Hulse’s address, and about the sale of tobacco. Mr French publicly stated that Mr Norden was one of the gentlemen we referred to ; we hope he will as publicly make known the fact that Mr Norden is not our informant, for he was not present at the first part of the conversation. Mr French does not like our style or language. We regret as much as he does the use of strong language, but we must point out that the prohibitionists are always shrinking when they are pricked by their own weapons. Mr French, while deprecating Richardson’s vulgar abuse, pays the man for his work, thereby giving a tacit acquiescence to far more violent and disgraceful language than we shall ever employ. If Mr French will do away with the necessity, we shall be truly glad to abstain from treating a dangerous disease with a strong n mt dy. Mr French labors under the impression that we question his respectability. Nothing of the sort. We said the gentlemen with whom he had the conversation were “ respectable men who are not prohibitionists, therefore they are free from the taint of fanaticism ” If Mr French will make an appointment at this office for Friday or Saturday

we shall be glad to introduce him to the gentlemen with whom he spoke on July 16. Possibly the whole of the conversation will be remembered when all the parties meet again, and then the statutory declaration can be made. — Ed. L.V.G.