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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

Melness, 12th July, 1894. Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, Esq., C.M.G., The Camp

page 3
Melness,

Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, Esq., C.M.G.

, The Camp.

Sir,—

Your letter from Lawrence I only got here last night, and I need not say that I was amazed and indignant both at the tone and statements therein.

The story of wiring about your name on the roll has not one vestige of truth in it, and at first I could not even imagine what you were alluding to. Then it occurred to me it was a message I sent to Palmerston about my own name that served as the foundation of the story. A day or so before leaving I wrote to Hugh Wilson, Naseby, requesting him to see that my name was on the Waihemo roll, and that if by any chance it had got off, to say nothing about it till I got it on again. Wilson replied by wire that I would have to apply to Registrar (Gwynne) at Palmerston. I wired Gwynne to make sure I was on, and to reply to Naseby where I was going that night. Gwynne replied I was on all right. That is the story. How you got it twisted up to have any connection with yourself I am sure I cannot say. If you have any doubt about it call in at Gwynne's (who is close to the Palmerston railway station) and satisfy yourself in Heaven's name. I never for an instant inquired about your name by myself, or through another, or by letter, wire, or verbally, never thought of such a thing.

I suppose this is a sample of the foolish stories that have been going about, and which you appear to have been giving credence, though you ought to have known better.

Not one word did I say about you during the entire tour, off the platform, that was not alike fair and generous. What "my friends," as you call them, have been saying God only knows. But you might as well page 4 blame me for the egg some wretch threw at Mrs Larnach, or I you for the two some other wretches threw at my wife, though they fortunately missed.

Enough of this. What I now want to know is whether you are prepared to make me some expression of regret for the language you applied to me over this registrar story. If so I am still ready to hold out the hand of good fellowship. If not I shall of course take it as a declaration of war between us, which of course I would regret.

On the platform throughout the campaign not one word did I say that was derogatory to you or irrelevant to the issue, and I am sure that had you heard me instead of listening to the busy bodies, you would have said so.

I am going for my children to-morrow, but will be back here on Monday.

Yours truly,

Scobie Mackenzie