CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 243, 15 October 1869, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*** "We are desirous of affording every reasonable facility for the discussion of public subjects; but it must 6e understood that we are in no way responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. MR. GIBBS' S MEETING AT RICHMOND. To the Editor op the Nelson Evening Mail. Dear Mr. Editor — Beg pardon — hope I don't intrude. Was in Richmond the other night. Saw the Agricultural Hall illuminated. Unusual ratber. Good building. Waste of money though, Mr. Editor. Thought I would go and see the fun — went upstairs of course. Asked small boy at door — What's up? Astonishment sat on the " human face divine " of small boy. Don't you know, says he ? Gibbs going to spout. Who is Gibbs ? Pig and poultry mau, auswered the urchin. Cheeky, Mr. Editor, fact though — Small boys very cheeky in New Zealand — think pas and mas don't take enough trouble with small boys — No mauners — Hope I won't offend old folks. Went in — counted fifty men and a boy — don't think all electors though. Sat still — watched small boy making faces. Was told the hour to commence was half-past seven, didn't begin till eight — enter Candidate — physically, morally, and mentally a nonentity, thiuks I. " Gently scan your brother man " — can't help it — don't like Gibbs. Hallo ! spurs on — What's he going to ride ? — Small boy shrewdly replied — Little horse Economy ! Lots of people outside — didn't want to come in till the chair was filled — Gibbs not liked — Charlie Eearns in the chair at last — no persuasion to get him there, Mr. Editor — hope he didn't intrude, thafc was all, and keep a better man out. lutroduced Mr. Gibbs, as if I didn't know him before. Began his speech with the assumption that all his present intellectual audience, must have read that which he delivered afc the Hustings. Father hadn't — I hadn't. Tried to pick holes in Mr. Curtis — couldn't do it. Found fault with the Superintendent for wasting £25 on the Schoolhouse — Father said it went to sea — See Totaranui ? I asked. He thought £25 too much to move it, from his experience of carpentering. Pity it didn't land in Dovedale — want a school there, Mr. Editor. Said also — if the Waimeas would make him Super, he would travel North, South, East, and West — see the country on "Economy." Oue man asked, Who'll pay expenses ? Oh ! Oh 1 out of my own pocket, says Gibbs. Suppose his salary be £500, he spends £150 travelling, £350 left — not much of a . stipend. Father laughed, so did I — laughed all night. Another man — small i boy called him jim— other. name was ugly t — don't like to write it— asked, How

much he would take for his salary ? the would-be Super grinned, reminded me of Judge Richmond's lecture — Leave that to the Council, says he. Nice man, as the ladies say. I know he would take £1000 if the Council voted it, though he does preach economy, he would not practise it. Hope I don't intrude. He would cut down all salaries — particularly in Crown Lands Office. Chief officer gets £400 — not too much either — Gibbs would like to make it £200 — generous — I should like to haw asked questions, couldn't — stranger. £200 a year iudeed. Dear Mr. Editor — Beg pardon — Is the man who by his education and natural ability, can earn threo or four hundred in almost any employment, and I think ifc requires men of this stamp to fill many, if not all, of our public offices, likely to accept of a paltry £150 or £200 a year. No, no, never, do you thiuk the able Editor of the Colonist would accept of such a situation? Not he, not he, he's not such a fool. Penny wise aud pound foolish, Mr. Gibbs. Father called me — had to go — heard no more, hope the electors won't be gulled by Mr. Gibbs' chaff. Verily, verily, small boy was right — it was spouting. Hope I havn't intruded too long, Mr. Editor— but I don't like Gibbs. I am, &c, Paul Pry, Junior. P.S. — Father votes for Curtis, so do I from principle. How is it Mr. Gibbs' speech did not appear in Tuesday's Colonist — Waiting for my man to speak ou Thursday, I expect — don't like that. Paul Pry.