Untitled

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 115, 19 March 1853, Page 7

To ihe Editor of the Lyttelton Times,

Sir, —Most of the letters recently published by you, reflecting on the conduct of the Canterbury Association, indicate much less a desire to weigh fairly, and in a spirit of honest criticism, the general scope and tendency of the policy of the Committee, than a captious purpose to find fault with minor errors and unimportant details. I regret to observe, too, in the absence of those who properly represent the Association, that no advocate has come forward were it only to claim that their cause be not prejudged. Not a single writer seems disposed to give them credit, even in the smallest possible instalment, for undoubted services rendered ; nor, indeed, for so much; as an honest, anxious endeavour to do their duty. Their earnestness and active exertions are, nevertheless, as much past disputing as that it is easier to forget than to confer a benefit. An extreme facility of for: getfulness on this score just noAv distinguishes your correspondents ; not so,T trust, the settlers generally. When the proper time" comes I doubt not there will be found amongst them sufficient generosity to pass lightly over such faults as are inherent in every system of administering affairs from a great distance, and to make allowance for difficulties of position with a liberality equal at least to that displayed by the Committee of Management, Avhen they did not shrink from incurring heaA-y responsibilities a second time on account of the Settlement.

The whole scheme of the Association never could have been carried out. We ourselves became parties to the attempt to do so; and the indulgence we Avould claim, under failure, for ourselves, Aye are certainly bound to extend to the Committee. I leave it to an abler and better informed advocate to claim for them that measure of justice which is their due. At present, I do not discover even the shadow of it in the attacks that have emanated from your correspondents.

"Qui! la justice en nous est la vertu gui brille, II faut de sea coulenrs qu'ici bas toat s'habille; Dans un Mortel cheri, quelqa' injure qu'il est, C'est quelque air de justice gui seduit et gui plait." I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,

Cantuariensis,