CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2439, 2 March 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

(.Correspondence on public matters is welcomed'at all times, but it must be' distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] REREKAIPU'KE v. LYSNAR AND COLEMAN. i [To the EniTon.] Sir, —Since my return from Wellington I have had an opportunity ol perusing the reports of above case supplied to you by your special reporter, a member of your reporting staff, -who w.as present at the trial in Wellington. Your enterprise .in being represented in Wellington in matters of interest to your readers is, of course, commendable, while if your action in publishing details of the case is a wholly disinterested one, this is a still more commendable feature. Reports published with a high regard for journalistic honor demand, however, the greatest accuracy, and I regret that my -perusal of your report of .(/Friday, 201' inst., shows that this report is far from being an accurate, and fair report of what took place in Court on 25th inst., and that my client (Mr. Lpsnar) has good grounds for complaint against you. If you desire that what is wrong in your report should be corrected, and will publish such corrections, 1 shall bo pleased to indicate in detail where your reporter has failed. T very much regret the ot casion for having to write you in this matter, but you will” ■understand that I am complaining of no unfairn ss to myself but that I regard it as a duty to my client that I should not allow to go unchallenged the serious defects in your report.—l am, etc., JAMES R. KIRK. Gisborne, Ist March. [Wo shall be glad to publish the corrections referred to by our correspondent. Wo cannot, however, permit Mr. Kirk to make a personal attack upon any member of our staff, t and have therefore deleted the name of the reporter which he, very improperly, mentioned in his letter. — Ed. “Gisborne Times.”] THE LICENSING COMMITTEE. [To the Editor.] Sir, —In allowing myself to he nom-. inated for the Licensing Bench, I desire to explain that I have only done so to assure the people of an oppor-' tunity of recording their votes for. whoever they may consider will best conserve their interest:. In my opinion it establishes a most undesirable precedent to allow any organisation t( dictate to tho electors who shall represent then upon any elective body, and more especially is it so when that body is to constituted that its functions are of a judicial character. Tho nominees of either the No-Licensc League or the Licensed Victuallers must necessarily have opinions colored by tlie organisation which has assured their election, and it seems to me that for the Licensing Bench it is desirable to, as far as .possible, choose men who are not partisans, and who are without bias, so that the interests of the general public may be properly protected. lam not at all anxious for election, but shall be content if the people have an opportunity of recording their opinions. At the same time, should I be honored ,bv election, I shall endeavor to act justly and fairly in tho interests of all. —I am, etc., W. LISSANT CLAYTON. March 1,1909.