NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3123, 20 July 1867, Page 3

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

w * ure lorry to differ from our fair correspondent "Woman," ! as to the conclusions she draws from the facts, or assumed facts, in her letter. It appears that the men employed by the Government at stone-breaking received notice that they i "would be paid fortnightly, after Saturday, the 14th; that they went to Dr. Pollen to inquire about the matter, and subsequently visited the Public Works Office twice, on which occasions the new regulttions were stated. Not content with that, they proceeded to argue the matter with the officiali.and doubtless made out a very strong case in favour of weekly payment, for if they had not been in absolute want they would not have gone to break stones on the roads Instead of arguing the point, like Midshipman Easy, the official brought the interview to a somewhat summary termination, by the remark— " Do you think we are going to sit here till eleven o'clock to answer such as you V Whereupon, one of the deputation said— "That is almost enough to make us go into the town, and make us help ourselves from the stores." Our fair correspondent finds in this story, which she had at second or third h»nd, and in an intimation that there was room in the Stockade for housebreakers, sufficient to justify her in charging the Engineer-in-Chief with breach of faith, and oppressive acts which would " almost justify " bread rioti in Auckland. Most likely the report of the interview is exaggerated ; but if not, there is nothing in It to justify the threat of the men to plunder the tradespeople of Auckland, still less to justify a " Woman, whose feelings, as usual with her sex, ran away with her judgment, in writing the letter she has sent us. She forgets that Dr. Pollen is Acting Superintendent, and that any arrangement for paying the men employed by the Government must have his sanction, if it be not in accordance with his Honor's own instructions before going to Wellington. It would be well to pay the poor men daily, if possible, but that would involve a considerable outlay which the province Is not prepared to meet. We would say in conclusion, that hearsay evidence is at all times open to grave auspicion, and particularly is it so in this case when none or our fair correspondent's informants would sign the paper containing their own version of the affair. " Anthropos " has sent us a long letter on " The Combination of Parties."touching the communication from our correspondent "I." We regret that our space does not enable us to give his letter insertion. In substance, our correspondent recommends the cordial union of all parties to effect a common object. If Separation is to be the watchword of the province, then let all unite in strengthening the hands of the Auckland members in Wellington. This may be done, "Anthropos" remarks, by means of active agitation ; and be invites the old Northern Association to join the Reform League for that purpose. " Anthropos," with much force, dwells upon the apathy of the people of Auckland on political matters. "A Reader " sends us, from a remote district, a criticism on the lecture recently delivered by the Rev. Mr. Cornford, in which reference is also made to the Rev. Mr. Edger-s lecture, which some time ago gave rise to considerable discussion in our columns. We exclude this letter mainly because it would revive a discussion already closed. As a Catholic, however, standing on the defensive, he has a right to expect from us at least a summary of his remarks in reply to Mr. Cornford s •xpression that "Popery is to come to an end." Our correspondent ridicules the notion that Catholicity, having weathered so many storms, should at last succumb to the attacks of Messrs. Cornford and Edger. He says— "While I feel it to be my duty to speak out in defence of the creed of which I am proud, I also deem it necessary to remark, that while most, gentlemen, while they extol one class, endeavour to avoid what might cause pain to the members of any other class of the community. Most lecturers, in treating religions subjects, are actuated by motives of charity rather than of envy : but, when we see a lecturer applauding one body and placing another on the same footing as heathens — ,when we see chanty laid aside, and jealousy take its place— we cannot but pity whilst we despise the ends the lecturer has in view. I cannot omit to mention that, had Messrs. Cornford and Edger followed the example of the Rev. Mr. Buller— had they laid aside their religious animosities and educational prejudices— they would, like him, have commanded the gratitude of all classes." "Pax," and "Let our Motto be Free Trade," will appear in an early issue. Several letters to the Editor have been received, and are under consideration.