HYDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 13

HYDE.

"•' > NOIBB/-BY,J";VBN'S. ', , ■ -' -~ ' ' '""• -March 6th. \ , We have had-quite a downpour of rain, which begati to fall on Saturday evening abouh 5 o'clock. About 4 p.m. some severe peals of thunder were heard, io}lowe'd by several flashes of lightning, and culminating in one of the heaviest bursts of rain we have had for sometime. Steps are being taken to secure the sorvices of a threshing-mill early this season. I see that I have roused the ire of your worthy sporting contributor " Beacon" by daring to insinuate that " Kockot " had been too heavily weighted. In conjunction with the Mount Ida Chronicle and a correspondent thereof I am therofore denounced in no measured terms by that eminent authority. Really; I cannot see why "Beacon" should so virulently denounce a little fair criticism. . The bandicappera ate ■public men, 1 and like all others are open'to criticism,' and " Beacon " by, his virulqnco , lays the question open for dispute. When such an infallible person deigns to take notice of what ,a humble individual liko myself dares to, say, it must really be something worth while remarking ; or is if that because our upcountry "draughts 1 " and ■ " tussockors " were lucky enough to give tho Duriedin flash' horses a start tor once, that my friend has got so " riled" ? JjTow, I'll just tell " Ucacori" what the writer of the " idiotic trash"/ ho , mentions thinks 'of Rocket winning the Tally-ho and yearly taking tho Hurdles. He thinks that it is a feat worthy to bo proud of, and doubly %9 considering the heavy weight placed upon him in hiß opening race. The fact of Rocket winning the race does not go to, show what the handicappers knew, for , they could not possibly know what a horse was'boforo he was tried ; therefore, friend " Bcaco'n," thy reasoning is illogical. In conclusion, 'I would advise " Beacon," when he next writes, to write moderately, sensibly, and more like a fair critic, remembering that one porson has as good a right to have an opinion and express iL as auother has, and though he may put uphis back ;it any up-country trash, I am afraid that readers will treat his remarks as they desorye to be treated, and give him credit for only what is due to him -viz., a human being's constitution. As to Sailor Boy, I can make no great defence. Mayhap the handicappers knew better there ; but I would remind " Beacon" that I only expressed my opinion. Tho concert and ball mentioned in a recent letter as about to be given in aid of the Gunn family took place on the Brd inst., and resulted in between £3 and £4 being netted for the twine.