Correspondence.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 247, 21 October 1867, Page 2

Correspondence.

To THE EDITOK OP THE NeLSON EVENING MalL. Ghost —Revenge this foul and most unnatural

murder. Hamlet. — Murder ?

Ghost. — Murder most foul, as ia the best it is.

S.R — I fear that it is too true that Nelson has of late become painfully notorious for bushranging and the commission of murders and such like atrocious crimes. In proof of this, I need only remind you of the five brutal murders committed some twelve months ago on the Mauntagapu by four bushrangers. I fear, too, Mr Editor, that some of that gang are still at their old tricks again, and strange to say, amongst the very haunts of their departed mates. My next door neighbor, a highly respectable though certainly 'verdant' party, Mr Willow, has been brutally maltreated by a party of barbarous men, and nothing left of his remains to tell the tale save his mutilated trunk. But this is not all, for au other neighbor of mine, an old and highly respected settler, who was moreover entitled to especial reverence as being the last of his race, and was known to the whole community, Mr Puketea, has also been brutally murdered, and his trunk thrown into the river! The old man was hale and hearty to the core, and a tough job the ruffians had to cut him down. If you saw his corpse you would say so, and yet I am told that it is a fact, known to the police, tbat his murderers exult over the social (?) Board at this deed of darkuess, and declare that so lusty was the old fellow that they had to call in the assistance of some young blades who were passing at the time to Knyve it and Spill his blood on the sward which surrounded his homestead. The rooks visited the old man religiously every morning, but, by an instinct peculiar to these birds, they foresaw the horrid deed which was about to be perpetrated, and took flight in disgust from a community which could witness so harrowing a tragedy.

Mr Editor, with these fearful scenes being enacted in such close proximity to myself, I am sure you will own that it ja not unreasonable that I should be iu fear lest I myself should be the nexfc victim, My hitherto peaceful slum-

bers are now disturbed by fearful dreams, and my apprehensions are still more aroused by the fact that several suspicious characters have been prowling' about this neighborhood, speaking very bad grammar, and eyeiug my fair proportions, for I <• m a comely personage, with most sinister and threatening looks. I have also received several severe wounds in my sides from some young urchins who jeered at me and told me sneeringlv that the ' Board ' would soon 'do' forme too! Who they meant by the ' BoarJ,' of course I can't say, but no doubt it is a slang uatne for tlie gnug of which Burgess. Kelly, & Co. formed a part. Dear Mr Editor, I am, I assure you, a very reputable individual, and can give you references as to my character to all the respectable people in Nelson, and I implore you to exercise your powerful influence to save niy life from the hands of these ruffians, who seem to wage war against all that is comely and entitled to respect in this neighborhood. Th** fate of my poor friends Willow and Pukfitea is ever before me, and I know liow much you felt, their loss, so help nie if you can, aud believe me,

Dear Mr Editor, Yours in fear and trembling, Old Ash Tree. Banks of the Maitai, Oct. 21.