THE Evening Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2016, 21 October 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1869.

We really ought to be much obliged to many persons for the curious investigations they institute into the management and success of the Evening Star. Were it not for their kindness we should never have thought it necessary to in- ■ troduce ourselves before the public, and might have overlooked altogether the ) duty of acknowledging the support we have received. It-'certainly would be very much better if those gentlemen

who identify themselves so generously with our interests, would thoroughly acquaint themselves with facts before they commit themselves to statements which, fortunately are not only without foundation, but are utterly untrue. We have no doubt that they will be very much obliged to us for setting them right on a subject which they have deemed of sufficient importance to make a theme for conversation, and can assure them that in future we shall be glad to afford them correct information should they desire to retail it in the way of friendship or business. The public will perhaps be surprised at these few words of introduction ; but they will be perfectly satisfied of the pi’opriety of this explanation when we teil them that some one whose name we do not wish to know, has made it his business to spread the report that during the last month the circulation of the Evening Star has very much fallen off. It used to be considered a very clever business trick for a canvasser or traveller to over-reach another by some startling piece of information. In byegone days we knew a commercial traveller, whom we will call Mr J., who called upon a customer and presented his account. It was not exactly convenient to pay it at the moment, because the tradesman had received advice of another traveller’s calling, to whom he had promised money. Straightforwardly he gave the information that he had the money by him, but had promised to give it to Mr W., who was to call next day. “ Mr W. T said J. “ Why he’s “ been dead these ten days ; I was at “ his funeral before I left.” “ Bless “ me, you don’t say so ! Poor man, “ poor man! If that’s the case I’ll pay “ you.” So J. got the money, and used to chuckle over the clever manner in which he had jockied W. This climbing up by shoving down another is now-a-days not so highly thought of. Thanks to the higher commercial morality of the age, he is thought the better man whose word is most to be relied on ; and even at that time, we do not think that the ruse by which J. obtained payment, advanced his interests with any who afterwards had transactions with him. We have scarcely given ourselves the trouble to think of the motives which led to the unfounded statements respecting the Evening Star. They seem to be on a par with several other’s that have come to our ears, along with some contemptible petty tricks that have been attempted to be played for the purpose of damaging its reputation. The trifling annoyance they have caused is best met by consigning them to oblivion, but we can hardly deal so with regard to the question of circulation. So far from having decreased, there has ben a steady, progressive, and rapid increase ever since the Star came into the hands of the present proprietor; so that now it equals, if not exceeds, that of any paper in New Zealand. It is gratifying to be able to make this statement, for we are not solely interested in the matter. It is of great importance that those who advertise should feel confident they are employing the best means. If it is necessary to advertise at all, and every tradesman knows the advantages derivable from it, it is of the highest importance that the most widely-circulated journal should be chosen. In selecting the Evening Star they are safe. It is read by most of the families in Dunedin and suburbs, it is circulated in Port Chalmers, and as soon as proper arrangements can be made, it will have a more extended country circulation than it it at present enjoys. We trust this little explanation will be sufficient to set at rest the absurd statement that has invited these remarks, and that whoever he may be that has so industriously set himself to “ propagate the lie,” will endeavor to regain the credit, he must feel he has lost, by acknowledging to those whom he thus endeavored to enlighten, that he was speaking on a subject that he knew nothing about. Our readers will pardon this reference to ourselves, for they will see that their interests are identified with ours—that is, they pay for receiving the information we get paid for giving. Neither private character nor public journals are altogether beyond the reach of slander; and although our present position is not likely to be seriously prejudiced by it, there is no occasion to permit it to pass unnoticed. Perhaps, as we believe the statement referred to a particular period, those to whom it was made will be surprised to learn that the circulation of the Evening Star has increased nearly two hundred during the last month.

at the head of the poll. Mr Blacklocks chance, it is rumored, was lost through the defection of his own supporters, owing to some misunderstanding as to his intentions. Shortly after four o’clock, when a large crowd had collected, the Returning Officerappeared on the hustings, and announced the state of the poll as follows Wilson, 75 ; Johnston, Cl ; Webster, 56 ; Blacklock, 48. At Riverton Messrs M'Gilleray and Petchell, re-union candidates, were returned.