ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. Jobbing in a Small Way.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 70, 17 August 1844, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. Jobbing in a Small Way.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. " 'Mid6t others of Bmall note came one frail form, A Phantom among men." Sib, — I perceive by some reverend lucubrations in the laat reflection of the Speculum, that the Editor, or his friend for him, pleads guilty to the charge of jobbing with, and in Government type. He could not help himself, and I only feel sorry on his own account that his value was fixed so low aa the ".077 part of a farthing ;" but that must have been the full market price, as I cannot for a moment suppose that the Colonial Secretary would seek to take any undue advantage, however depressed the Times may have been. "Tis a pity the unhappy Editor should have so fully disclosed all the particulars under which he becomes the bondsman of the Government. But my business is not with him at present, neither is it my object to apeak of the manner in which the Faculty convert students of medicine into Aberdeen Doctors, or Bishops manufacture Clergymen from spirit -dealers, j hosiers, and the like ; I leave these things, as well | as all other personal and private matters in the dark ; j I would not even speak of such extraot dinary changes as that of converting by means of a looking fflass the nightly vender of small brass chains, with his vociferous "Walk in Ladies and Gentlemen," '• Cheap bargains ! &c." into a person of some self-importance in another line. I leave Hogers to speak of such matters. Few persons, Mr. Editor, can afford to deal in personalities. L,et that trade remain exclusively in the hands of the present, or recent occupants of free mamiona in other Colonies. Certain parties should not be so spoony as to talk about such matters as "heavy costs." Wisdom ought to teach them at Jeast to avoid personalities. If I choose, I could easily tell interesting stories about captives from 'board ships, confinement ia piano cases, and other uncomfortable barracks, &c, but where is the advantage ? Charity draweth a veil over many past errors,we should not v* antonly rake up the embers of a fire that may still scorch. While private character should be thus sacred, we are at full liberty to discuss public acts, and public measures. We can safely speak of the Editor's labours, while we would not mention the man's name. I have no de< sire, however humble my occupation, to become the least acquainted with that personage in hid private, or any capacity, but I do claim the liberty of censuring the conduct of the Colonial Secretary in the type job ; and my object in bringing it to light, was simply to convince Government officers that the eye of the public was still upon them. I could have easily referred to jobs of magnitude, but I selected the smallest, being more anxious to warn than to condemn. I presume not to enter upon the motives which induced the Editor to seek " Small favors" from the Government. He is the best judge of the propriety of his own conduct, but the public have a right to look after the conduct of public officers, as well aa the management of public property. The Editor of the Times may sell his independence (if he ever had any to sell) for the .077 th part of a farthing, or even some " flour of brimstone," he knows his own wants ; but the Colonial Secretary is not justified in giving either, at the public cost, even if he should believe that the latter would prove a potent cure for the unhappy Cacoethes of the Editor. Recommending the Editor to the care of his old friends, and new masters, who I trust will look after him, I would conclude, by informing him and these parties that some Aberdeen and Edinburgh Doctors understand the use of the scalpel as well as the practice of medicine, and that in cases in which brimstone and other simple remedies fail, it is a very common thing to take up the knife and to make very unmerciful incisions, even to the boue itself. In certain constitutions, and from habiis of, intemperance, gangrenous sores, and ugly tumors exist, which resist every other application but that of the actual cautery and the scalpel. It is even so in the moral world, it ia often necessary for the good of society, to root out certain pests in a similar manner. I confess it must be a very unpleasant thing to hay'e recourse to such extreme measures, but in some confirmed diseases, and especially ia very bad habits, no other treatment will avail. Have the Editor and his accomplices the courage to undergo such operations ? It takes a good dose ot Harts-horn and other strong stimulants, to bear buoh severe treatment *, 1 would recommend them j 10 call tae Clcigyman to their assistance in case of need. They may hear again from me. Your's &c, A Printer. Auckland, August 15, 1844. [We beg to inform the writer of this letter that we decline any further publication on this subject, it is exhausted.— Ed.]