A DEFENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4452, 21 May 1875, Page 3

A DEFENCE.

TO THE EDITOB OP THE LYTTELTON TIMES. . Sib,— ln a mixed community like Christchurch, or any other large city where a nextdoor neighbour may lire and die' without eliciting notice or sympathy, it cannot be much wondered at that the feelings of “ Father ” in your issue of to-day are slightly exasperated at the annoyance to his household caused by me inadvertently, “shouting, holloaing, bellowing, and ringing »loud-toned bell.’* But,with all due deference to “ Father,” who in a rash moment has thought fit to appear in print, I must ask for myself a measure of justice,without withholding from him that quota to which he is entitled.

To say that I intentionally disturbed his household in the hour of affliction, is so far apart from my nature that I can with the utmost confidence appeal to the people of Christchurch. That, so far as my humble means hare allowed me, in supporting the institutions of the province, I can also appeal for a response. That, like a “ snake in the grass ” I should be maligned in the leading journal of the province for willingly disturbing the peace and quietness of a sick family by the exercise of my calling (let the heading be Faddy’s Market or Tattersail’s Market) I most emphatically deny, and I can assure “ Father ” that so long as a spark of principle remains in the populace, he will find that electric emblem predominating in the family circle of what at present constitutes *• Paddy’s Market.” I can, and do, most feelingly sympathise with " Father ” in his bereavement, and make every allowance for the feeling platitudes expressed in his letter, and hope his household will long remain free from contagious disease, and never again be disturbed by an unwilling action of one who has to provide for—what by au arithmetical calculation —comes to be a few units of little responsibilities as well as himself. I have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of a letter from his Worship the Mayor requesting my attention to “ Father’s ” family, and with that respect which , is due frond one gentlenuu to another, I paid every, attention to my neighbour. A stigma, bearing 1 the character of something worse than a “ man of feeling ” might rest upon me, were “ Father’s ” letter allowed to go unanswered,

and this is my only excuse for asking you to hand this to the compositor. Tour obedient servant, JOHN TETLEY. Christchurch, May 17.