BALCLUTHA SLIGHTED. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4742, 30 April 1877, Page 3

BALCLUTHA SLIGHTED. TO THE EDITOR.

j Sir —l observe you remark in to-day's paper that thepeople of Balclutha feel slighted by the Viceregal party not making a short stay in passing. I think it a pity this statement made in such a widly circulated journal as the Times Should pass uncohtradicted, for it has not the slighted,-foundation. The people here did not Regard His Excellency having accidentally :to pass through the.township, as anything in the shape of a visit." They knew his arrangements necessitated his travelling express in the stated jipace of time from JDunedin tp Invercargill, and felt' that' toiujiifude' • upon" 'hint under- such cifpumstances would be ; unfeeling,.: if not impertinent. Besides, had he b'eeni asked and had lie

■agreed to stop to hear an .address and read a i.reply this would have Berved as a visit by His Jbixcellency to Balclutha, and would have been felt a3,a most unsatisfai'.tory one. To my mind the part adopted by the citizens of Balclutha testifies very markedly to their loyalty as well as to their prudecce. They knew His Excellency desired to pass quietly and privately, and they readily gave effect to these desires. It wouldperhapshavebeenwellforother townships ; hadtheyseen the matter in thesamelight.! I have ;no doubt when His Excellency finds time and ; opportunity he will pay Balclutha a visit;: he will give ample intimation of the intended visit .01 the representative, of Her Majesty ; and will ; receive an ovation worthy boCh of Mm and us. iShoulcLhe never find it possible to visit us, then I am sure we will all take the wj'lfor the d.- r i. iSlighted! Bah ! We are not children.—l am, ;«°-» ' Balclutha.