AN UNFAIR CHARGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 300, 31 January 1879, Page 11

AN UNFAIR CHARGE.

To the Editor of the N. Z. Tablet.

& in > — I have noticed in your issue of 24th inst. an unwarrantable attack made by the district officers of the H.A.C.B.S. at their annual meeting against some officers of the Oamaru branch for " misappropriation" of funds upon the information of two members from here. Now, Sir, I wish to inform your readers that these Dunedin officers never gave the slightest notice in any shape or form to the oflii et-fc here that this serious charge was laid against them, until they sent, it abroad on the wings of the Press. Those wiseacres of Dunedin had nither the prudence nor the consideration, to give us an opportunity of defending ourselves from this charge ; nor had they the fairness to tell who are they who are charged, or who laid the charge. Of course it is quite enough to prove it that four of those " wiseacres' " names are gone forth signed at the foot of their report, and they give as their authority that they have received letters from two members from Oamaru. Now, let them them take it ill or otherwise of me, I tell them that a more uncharitable act was never done by any man, or body of men, than that which they have done. I have been secretary for this Branch during the last 18 months. When I took office I was furnished with an account of the amount of money to the credit of this Branch at that date, which I can produce, and also the amount of money received and paid away since then up to the present. We have it all, as they say, "in black and white," with day and date, and I defy either the men from Camaru, who ever they may be, or the imprudent " wiseacres" of Dunedin, to prove that one shilling has been misappropriated. I also request of them

to furnish a copy of those letters that they have received to the 1 ablet, with the names of the writers, in order that they may prove their charge. There is no other way of settling the matter now than through the Tablet, where the charge first appeared. I speak now for myself, and, as far as I know, I can do the same for my brother officers ;we want no hole and corner work. The charge is now laid and we want to have it properly investigated, all through the public .Press. Then if we are found guilty it will be time enough to charge " some officers with misappropriation" and charges of a " "rave" nature, and if the case goos the reverse way, we shall have had an opportunity of knowing our accusers. I hope you will excuse me for trespassing on your space ; but I feel, in common with others, that a serious charge has been circulated concerning us, and I wish the case to be thoroughly sifted, so that instead of the Dunedin officers and the two persons from Oamaru, we may have the public to jud<»c of our case. Knowing also that your motto is Fiat Juxtitia, I say Fiat Juxtitia ruat eoelum.

I am prepared to give a full and correct account o£ the funds of the Branch when called upon by the proper authorities.— l am, &c, P. M. MOBONY,