ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1032, 4 May 1894, Page 5

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

-♦ ■ CATLINS AFFAntS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I have just received fiom my fellowworkman a copy of your Leader of last week's issue, in which I noticed a report of a meeting held by the Vigilance Committee re railway and roads in the Catlins district. It has surprised me as. much as anything to find that one of the most important points of discussion in connection with the prosperity of Catlins and Woodland districts has been left out in the cold. I refer to a bridge across the Catlins River opposite the Big Mill, to give direct communication with that large district — Woodland. I learn on good authority that the sum of LISOO would erect a very substantial bridge, but forgetful as they are, they are not neglectful of accusing the Government for lack of memory, etc., and behold their own ! It makes one ask if charitable aid is one of the leading features of the district, and if it is an indissoluble 1 admixture indiginous to the locality? If not surely the manliness of men is a thing of the past. I confess I have very little sympathy with such, as I hold that it tends, to be looked upon by the outside community as an exuberant fancy, which reminds me of the story about the old woman who, upon seeing all her wrinkles represented in a mirror, threw it upon the ground in a passion and broke it into a thousand pieces. But as she was afterwards surveying the fragments with a spiteful kind of a pleasure she could not forbear uttering, " What have I got by this revengeful blow of mine ? I have only multiplied my deformity, and see an hundred ugly faces where before I saw but one." — I am, &c, Clutha. 0

served his apprenticeship under my tufcion ; therefore, I am. able to vouch for his ability as a tradesman, and -that he is honest in ail his _ dealings. The Mr Bernstone, the self designated '"Paris tailor," is only known to me by repute ; if correct in my surmise, being the same Bernstone formerly of Dunedin, who made suits of clothes for L 3, but I won't say. a word as to tbe workmanship. Mr Bernstone's ■price for the suit was a sweating price, and as a further inducement to enable him .to get rid of his superb suits of Paris design, induced' the people to patronise him not only witb exquisite design, superb' workmanship, and at sweating price, but had to induce tbem with tbe present of a first-class watch; after thesuit being finished, provided the , customer would only take the suit off Mr Bernstone's hand. So much.for.Mr Bernstone's* ability as a practical tradesman ; now as to his ability and agility as a cutter, Upon his own showing he has cut from Germany, Austria, Russia, England, 'France, and "Woloomoloo, and then to New, Zealand, landing in the latter colony at the port of Dunedm with bis cutting scissors dull and blunt on the edge, after being ground and reset, cut to the Bluff, I and from thence retraced his steps northward tothe .township .of 'Balclutha, ready to cut again on the first opportunity of his old customers .-paying him a -'visit. So you can see he has been a busy and energetic man, and most :.su£ce£sfui,. in business. I hope, now, that he is settled in yonr busy 'little town, he will no longer roam like Noah's dove unable to find a resting-place for the sole of his foot, but . become , -a ' spirited and energetic citizen in 7using his ability in the development of all his neighbours' social well being, and to the benefit of the district in general. — I am, etc., . Geo. Snaddem April 29, 1894. Oamaru.