SIR R. STOUT AS A POET.
(From ‘Hansard.’)

Mr Seddon : I am in a position to say, and to substantiate the Colonial Treasurer’s statement, that Sir Robert Stout is in the habitofwritingletters.sendingthem toothers, asking them to copy them and place their names upon them, and handing them to the news* papers to get them published. He is the writer, though they are sent by others. He is not satisfied with attacking the name of his once chief, Sir George Grey, in a most scandalous manner—in language which the Standing Orders will not permit me to mention. It was not, as the hon. mem ber says, a private letter that had been sent to someone in Dunedin; it was nothing of the kind. The hon. gentleman attempted poetry. frr R. Stout; I never wrote it.
Mr Seddox : I will place it on the Speaker’s table, sir, and if any member of this House says it is not in the hon. gentle man’s handwriting I will leave these benches once and for all.
Sir R, Stout : It was not composed by me.
