Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6, 21 November 1861, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

Canvas Town, Dunedin, Nov. 20, 1861. To the Editor of the Otago Daily Times.

Sir, —In your impression of yesterday there appears a letter signed " Equity," complaining of the intolerable nuisance a few people living in tents is to the thriving city of Dunedin. In what way a tent can be a nuisance to a town which scarcely boasts a dozen good houses, I know not ; but, perhaps to the sensitive mind of " Equity,'' they who live in tents are nuisances on the principle that a " ragged coat" is not allowed in a first-class railway carriage. I live, sir, in Princes-street, and can deny all and every assertion made by " Equity," with the exception of " quoit-playing" on a Sunday, and, surely after working hard all the week, that harmless recreation can scarcely be considered a nuisance ; at all events levelling the tents would no more make people religious than the signature of " Equity " proves that your correspondent's remarks possess a tittle of justice. As to individual cases of wrong-doing, that can never condemn a community any more than the fact of one Scotchman being committed for theffc would make us all apprehensive for our money on the appearance of a "Balmoral," nor is there any contamination in a tent which necessarily makes all who reside therein thieves, Sabbath -breaKers, and disturbers of the peace.

But, in truth, the fact is there is no accommodation in Dunedin for us. Let the citizens of the town who complain of our tents, erect suitable houses, and we will rent them—let them give us lodgings at a reasonable rate, and we will ■ take them —but, while we can get neither—while we can. with difficulty obtain sufficient employment to buy the necessaries of life, why deny us the privilege of living in our little tents ? We came to your country, sir, willing to do our best for its welfare, why thrust us back by unkindness and oppression ? Trusting, for the sake of fair-play, you will kindly insert these remarks in your valued journal. I am, &c, A Victorian.

SHOCKING MURDER OF MR. WILLS AND EIGHT OTHERS, IN QUEENSLAND. Just as we were going to press with our country edition, a telegram was placed in our hands, containing the melancholy intelligence that Mr. Horatio Wills, of Point Henry, near Geelong, the former member for South Grant; Mr. Thomas \W Wills, the well-known cricketer, and eight men, had been murdered near Roukhamuton. The Messrs. Wills had purchased a large station about 150 miles irom the locality in which ihey are stated to have lost their lives, and were travelling thither with' sheep. The news of their terrible fate wants confirmation, but from the respectability of the gentleman who forwarded the telegram, there is only too much reason to fear that the intelligence is perfectly reliable. Both father and son had a large circle of private friends, and from the prominent part the}'' had taken—the one in public affairs, and in all relative to the progress of Australia; the other as the best cricketer in the southern hemisphere—their terrible fate will be felt as a national calamity. Our country edition had scarcely been published when we received the following telegram, which, although it confirms the terrible newts of the murder of Mr. Horatio Wills and others of the party, it contains the assurance that Mr. "Wills's sou — our great cricketer—is cafe :—u Murdered, on the 20th October, at liockhampton, Mr. Horatio Wills, Mrs. Baker, daughter, and two children ; Mrs. Manjou and three children; and — Scott. T. W. Wills safe."— Melbourne BelVs Life. { We extract the following from the New i Zealander: —"It is reported in Naval and Military circles, that an early change in the Australian Naval command may be expected. The period for which the ' Pelorus ' was com- . missioned is nearly expired, and the current on dit is that Lord John Hay of the 'Odin,' paddle wheel steam frigate, now serving in China is to be our new Commodore with a red or first-class pennant, indeed with all the emoluments and priveleges of a Hear - Admiral. Others again state that Captain Tarleton, a very distinguished officer, entrusted with the nautical training of Prince Alfred, is to recommission the superb 50 gun frigate the ' Euryalis' for this command. We give both reports as we have received them, nothing doubting our next will be a first not second Commodore. Dr. C. Watt a chemist of considerable celebrity, in his experiments on malt and hops, has discovered a method of producing ale perfectly colourless. The following gentlemen proceed to the diggings in the course of this week, for the purpose of holding worship at the following places :—Commissioner's Tent, Gabriel's Gully, by Rev. Mr. Bruce and Mr. John Duncan ; upper end of same gully, by Mr. Eorsaitli, of Auckland, and Mr. Neal ; lower end of same gully, by Mr. Gillies and Mr. Clarke, of Auckland. Commissioner's Tent, Waitahuna, by the Rev. Mr. Calder and Mr. E. B. Cargill; upper end of same, by Rev. Mr. Will and Mr.^M'Crae, of Nelson.