The Bluff Harbour Import and Export figures.

Southland Times, Issue 9350, 16 October 1886, Page 3

The Bluff Harbour Import and Export figures.

■♦ MB J G. WARD'S LETTER. . Immodest'words admit of no defence ; A want of" decency shows want of sense. TO THE KDITOB. Sih,— Although the Chairman of the Blufi Harbour Board may not be wanting in sense, he appears to be somewhat oblivious to the fact that " abase is no substitute for argument." I am led to this conclusion after noting the correspondence carried on in your columns during the past few days by S. J. Gordon and J. G. Ward. It must be apparent to all who are not directly interested in the subject under discu*sion, that the latter gentleman is sadly deficient in the etiquette he would makej people believe he admires, and which he counsels 8. J. Gordon to practise. Mr Ward thinks, no doubt, that his letter which appeared in your issue of Thursday was a smart production, It is as well he should see it as others do— i.e., that it 'is a veiy vulgar effusion. I also read Mr Gordon's first letter to your paper. There did not appear therein anything to warrant such expressions as " making silken parses out of a sow's ear," &c. It is hard to understand — except on the ground that the writers have been on unfriendly terms— why Mr Ward should be so abusive. Has the allusion that '■ Mr Ward is the Bluff correspondent of the evening paper" hurt that gentleman's feelings ? Why is this thus? I know but little about J,G. Ward, less about S. J. Gordon, and less still about the subject they are discussing, but I claim to have some knowledge of fair play and " hitting below the belt," and take leave to say that, while the letter of Mr Gordon was argumentative and courteous in tone, that of Mr Ward was coarse, offensive, and immensely bumptious, and bore strong evidence of having emanated from " a spoiled citizen.' I—l1 — 1 am, &c, CiJSTOS MOBUM. For remainder of reading matter see 4th page.)