THE PIPECLAY CHANNEL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 836, 21 April 1885, Page 3

THE PIPECLAY CHANNEL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It seems to be the lot of every public enterprise to meet with the most active opposition from a class of men, who, being themselves either unable or unwilling to join in a work of public good, are incapable of evidencing that generosity of feeling towards their follow men which we are taught to believe should, though it docs not, exist in the minds of all classes irrespective of private interests or local jealousies. To the class above alluded to, the fable of the dog, the manger, and the horse might not inaptly be recommended for perusal, and if the parallel be admitted, the moral should act as a never-to-be-forgotten lesson to such men as the incog, writer of the effusion in last week’s issue of the Cromwell Argus under the above heading. It would, indeed, be a ■work of supererogation were legal managers of mining companies to consider it part of their sometimes rather onerous duties to take notice of every small dog’s yelp ; rather is it their policy, in such cases, to emulate the majestic bearing and calm indifference so strikingly ponrtrayed in the well-known picture entitled “ Dignity and Impudence.” But the present bark is one of too long continuance and of too spiteful a character to permit ot any such passive act on my part, for though the bullet has sped from behind the hedge or safeguard of a noin de plume the veil is too transparent to admit of any doubt as to the identity of the writer, and if my supposition be correct and my band have withdrawn the mask, I hope that in future “ Facts and Figures” will pose before the public when next he appears in that capacity in a better character and under his proper appellation. “ Facts and Figures,” like many men of that class to whom “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” has reckoned without his host if he thinks that his “ facts ” will bo allowed to pass unchallenged. From start to finish of his rambling epistle he mis-states facts. He commences with the information that “ the work was completed to the satisfaction of the inspector for the sum of £33 per chain in the face of insurmountable difficulties.” Query— Is the work completed ? I presume he means that a portion of the work was constructed for that amount, but he fails to toll us so, and forgets that every part of the channel is not so easy of construction as others. He then proceeds to call the Company “Jumpers.” Why he does so I cannot say, for, unless my memory fails me, I have a distinct recollection of paying the sum of £550 by way of purchase price of the property. Next, as to grade he makes an assertion which no one but a surveyor should make. Surely “ Facts and Figures” does not add to his presumably other high qualifications that of surveying. In a work like this, where the services of a duly qualified surveyor are required to obtain accurate results, I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I decline to swallow “ Facts and Figures’ ” assertion, or to allow the public to do so without a disclaimer on my park So far as we can say at present, the grade is as nearly correct as possible, and until we have it properly surveyed we may confidently take “Facts and Figures’” statement on this point cum gnmo salts. Lastly—and here I touch him on the sore that galls— I shall allude to the con eluding paragraph of his letter, which contains the essence of his communication. Rent is the bugbear; remove that and all the enemies of the channel will disappear. But I may inform “ Facts and Figures” that no such step as that indicated is meditated and if the company cannot proceed with its work amicably with all parties it must just go on independent of the good feeling of men of “ Facts and Figures’ ” class. With regard to the subsidy asked for, I am sure nothing that “Facts and Figures” can say will in any way militate against its being granted. Should the dinister think it advisable'to make the grant, I feed certain that it will be made on purely public grounds and for public good ; and let the issue be what it may, the Company need entertain no fear of anything but justice being done them, “Facts and Figures’ ” mis-statement notwithstanding/—I am, etc., Thos. M‘Ceackex.' ; Cromwell, April 16, 1885.