THREATS AGAINST THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2544, 3 July 1909, Page 5

THREATS AGAINST THE PREMIER.

A DUNEDIN RESIDENT’S STATE-

MENT.

iPer Pnnss Association.] DUNEDIN, July 2. A Dunedin resident has thrown some further light on the sensational report that Detective Cassells had been sent Home to protect the Prime Minister from possible personal attacks. The informant states that he is well acquainted with the facts of the case, as he had been the means of introducing the man in question to the Prime Minister. The man was well educated, and held a high place in the literary world- at Home, and was the author of several books. He expressed a desire to come to New Zealand, and obtained an interview with Sir J. Of. Ward in London, asking about the likelihood of finding an opening in his profession in the Dominion. He was told ho would have to take his chance, Sir J. G. Ward making no special promise beyond saying he would be' pleased to assist the man if he came out. The man eventually came to Wellington and secured a position on the stafE of a New .Zealand journal, “but,” added the informant, “I am afraid the man is a dipsomaniac, and he was soon looking for employment.” ' He seems to bitterly resent being inveigled, as he called it, to New Zealand, and wrote a number of threatening. letters to the Prime Minister, some”being so violent that the ' matter was put into the; hands .of the police. The Prime ■ Minister did hot prosecute, as he did not want to put the man in gaol. The letters contained threats to shoot, and the local informant is quite satisfied that the man will do serious injury if he gets a chance. “He is a desperate, character,” said the informant in* conclusion, “and I should not bo a bit surprised to hear he had waylaid Sir Joseph Ward.” •