To the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald

Sir,-

I have only this day seen your leading article of April 27th, commenting on my letter of April 17th and evidently based on the idea that my letter to you was written in Sydney, and in reply to the report of the Immigration Board published in your columns on the 22nd - in which you infer that I at least tacitly acknowledged the truth of the charges of professional neglect and intoxication by not replying to them in the letter. By referring to its date you will perceive that it was written several days before the appearance of the report. I made no allusion to them, simply bcause I knew them to have been so thoroughly disproved that I considered them to be unworthy of further notice, and am exceedingly surprised by seeing them adopted in the report, of the contents of which I was ignorant until this afternoon. I refrain from analysing this most strangely self-contradictorv document at present, as it can be done more effectively in tho course of the proceeding to be taken with reference to those who have so foully defamed me, as soon as my pecuniary resources permit me to avail myself of legal aid.

l am, Sir, your obedient servant.

WILLIAM JOHNSON ROWLAND,

Late Surgeon of tho Stebonheath,

May 5th.