LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 863, 3 August 1867, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents, Sir, — Since my arrival in Hawke's Bay I have more than once been tempted to appear in yowcolumns, but thinking your space might bo hotter taken up, and feeling rather shy of appearing in print, I have hitherto refrained from doing so. I j see the time has come when, in self- ' defence, I must say a word or two. In the letter of your Wairoa correspondent, dated (I think) the 4th instant, he makes some remarks upon my management of tho works entrusted to my charge here. I should have passed this over, thinking it just possiblo he might have done so on public grounds, but seeing further allusion to the same subject in his letter of the 16th instant, I see plainly that it is not so, and if your correspondent is the person generally named here as such, I can easily divine. the cause. In his letter of the 4th ult., he says the j person appointed to look after the roads, &c, here, is putting in plank shoots at the. drain mouths, but it is like locking the door after the horse, is lost, and that it will cost a considerable sum to repair damages (or words to that effect — I have not the paper by me). Your correspon- j dent knows very well that plank shoots j were inserted in the drain months before the heavy rains set in ; and, as he deals in ' similes, I may be allowed to do the same (though I would follow his example on but very few occasions), and tell him what he sees being done is more like putting a i stronger lock on the door, a thief having | stolen the former one. i In his letter of the 16th he refers to the I bridges not being built on the square and I level. He has been a long time finding ! this out : I suppose it suits his purpose just at present. I have heard the remark, " Praise the bridge that carries you safe over." It appears your correspondent does not believe in this, and can praise nothing but what is near home. It is really very gratifying he has something to praise. I find I am following his example moro than is wholesome. I am, &c, -R. Gaedinek. Clyde, July 25. Sib, — Will you be so kind as let us in the bush know if our employers have the control of us on Sundays — whether weekly, monthly, or yearly servants ; or "what the law of the country is ? Such information would be a great benefit to myself and working men generally. Yours, &c., Bush. Sic, — I observe in your issue of the 30fch instant, a letter from a correspondent styling himself " Fair Charge." He appears to have got a horse, on which, no doubt, he came into Napier, and to whom he mercifully gave a feed — a merciful man is merciful to his beast. I can fancy his horror when he found his merciful heart cost his pocket 18d. But, one misfortune generally following another, by a great want of caution on his part he goes and invests in a glass of colonialale, for which piece of extravagance he was actually charged 6d. I have no doubt when this gentleman and his charger are at home, the animal (I mean the horse) is fed upon wire fencing, as this mode is found to be much cheaper than the old post and rail system. Being a publican myself, I wish to inform your correspondent that he must have very narrow views of the subject upon which he writes and calls " extortion. ' He gives no consideration to the fact of a stable costing money ; and, although oats may have been purchased afc 4s. Cd., they have ou many occasions risen to twice that price ; hay, also, has to be paid for, and, in my case, water, at the rate of 3s: per barrel. I wonder if his poor beast took a bite of hay when it was getting its 18d. treat in Napier, or if it had any water to wash it down, which must have been very necessary in its case, aftor such a good and expensive repast. , , Stables to publicans, in general, are a loss, and to allow a horse stable room (often for hours together) and good feed, with the hay which ho is sure to take, and watering him, I consider 18d. a very moderate charge. I consider your correspondent tohave been very extravagant in having indulged in ale at all ; but as he might happen to pay Napier a visit again, and be taken thirsty, if he will call at the Napier Hotel he can be supplied with a glass of the brightest and best colonial ale for 3d., in a clean glass ; or, if tho former 6d, worth has not quite scared him, he can get an imperial pint in clean and good pewter for that amount. Yours, &c, H. L. Mobton. August 1. . f ■■•■■■'■■■■'"'■'•"■ lM, "" M «'™***«»*M**M>