ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 81, 14 August 1863, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE HO NOT HOLD OUKSELVES RESPONSIBLE TOR THE OMNTONS EXPRESSED BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS. To the Editor of the Invercargill Times. Sru. — I understand that a number of summonses have been served on persons selling spirits without a licence. While I depivcnte the practice as much as any one, I do think that our Government, after winking at the custom so long, either fix: the sake of revenue, or the convenience of the public for want of sufficient hotel accommodation, should, before enforcing 1 tlic penalties in this instance, publish a warning to all whom it may concern, that in future the Act will be rigidly put iv force. It must be well known to the authorities that spirits have been sold publicly in nearly all stores and restaurants in the town, without let or hinderanco, for months past. j Since the law has been so long in. abeyance, a stranger is apt to think that "custom" is law in ! "Southland," and hence he does as all bis neighbours do. I am, Sir, &r, Salophian. North Road, Aug. 13th, 1563. ' (To the Editor of the Invercargill Times.) Sir, — Your contemporary seems to be anxious to change the names of the Islands and Provinces of Now Zealand. Considering that the Scotch, as a nation, seem I to have the greatest interest here — that the " Old : Identity" are chiefly Scotch — that our public ser- j vants, from his <; Honor" down to Willie Steel, the postman, are Scotch — that (he " Distressed Lancashire operatives" are found somewhere in Scotland, or at any rate some people very like them, and far better adapted for this Province — that the newly arrived immigrants per New Great Britain, from " London." are chiefly Scotch. Now. Mr Editor, since the place and everything pertaining to it is so intensely Scotch, I beg-, out of compliment to that nation, to suggest that the Province of "Southland" be henceforward and for ever called '• Sawneyland." I am, &c , Pat Muiligak. Invercargill, Aug. 13th, 1863. [Our correspondent must be suffering from dyspepsia. We recommend him to try oatmeal porridge for breakfast for a month.— Ed. I. T.] (To the Editor of the Invercargill Times. ) Sir, — Seeing an announcement some time since in your journal of a meeting to be held of the Temperance Society, I have ever since been anxiously awaiting the result of such meeting;. Why has it not been made public ? lam sure there are many conscientious people here who would only be too hnppy to co-operate could they bo informed of the proceedings of the Invercargill Temperance Society. I hope the Secretary — if there be one — will not continue to shroud temperance affairs with so great a curtain of mystery. I am, Sir, Yours respectfully, A Totai Abstainer. August 12, 1863. To the Editor of the Invercargill Times. Sir, — Some time since we all heard what great things the Town Board proposed to do for us— what improvements they contemplated making m the town ; how desirous they seemed of repelling the insinuation that they were old women, or had any antiquated ideas, or were incapable of transacting the ordinary official duties which daily come before them. On the contrary, it was asserted by themselves, that the Board possessed great intelligence, considerable business aptitude, and more far-sigh! edness, than any other public body in New Zealand, or, in fact, anywhere pise. They accordingly set to work in beautifying Invercargill, intending to make it the chief city in New Zealand — the pride and glory of its citizens. In carrying out this patriotic idea, it was resolved to light the town with lamp*. O, ye Gods, such lamps ! Aladdin's wonderful lamp, (the possession of which most of us when young must have eagerly desired,) could it be placed beside our lamps, would scarce gleam at all,_ and as for its genii, they would hide their diminished heads for ever more. But, Sir, lam only digressing, so revenons a nos moutons. It is with feelings of satisfaction, not unmingled with pride, that I observe that my fellow citizens (the Town Board), have earned for themselves an undying glory for the wisdom, sagacity, and sound sense which they have displayed in selecting, perhaps, from among thousands, the model of our present street lamps." What care, thought, and anxiety they must have underwent before they gave the final order for erecting those beautiful, simple, well' proportioned and ornamental lamps, which almost turn night, into day, and the appearance of which commands our admiration and respect. Hoping thai you may find a corner in your journal for these few lines, as indicative -of the esteem in which myself and fellow citizens hold our respected local institution — the Town Board, I remain, Sir, &c., GovEßiratEST Bvildisq.