Original Correspondence.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 320, 18 September 1858, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

" I do not attack him from the love of glory, but from the love of utility, as a burgomaster hunts a rat in a Dutch dyke, for fear it should flood a Province. "Sydney Smith." To the Editor of the taiianaki herald. Sir, — I shall not be diverted from my purpose by malicious quotations. Hudibras is the storehouse whence the malicious have geneially obtained their missiles, and the impotent their crutches. The force of a quotation lies in its appositeness. " ftuivis " has written you a letter for the purpose of flinging at me sixteen lines from " An Heioical epistle of Hudibras to Sidiophel ;" is it not clear that your readers will have to make the application ; and (whatever ftuivis may wish) the judgment will be accoiding to the evidence. Suppose we take the seventh and eighth lines, — ' " For all impostors when they are known Are past their labor and undone." See how the feelings blind the judgment! one can hardly imagine that " ftuivis " could have copied those lines, and yet not have felt their force. Impostor ! " I thank thee Jew for teaching me that word." An impostor is one who practises imposition not one who is called an impostor, else if some one should be kind enough to call me Prince or President I should then be Prince or Piesident; an impostor thercfoie must be one who promises to do what he does not, or pretends to do what he cannot. " A deceiver practises on individual's ; an impostor on the public." " Behold the'picture — is it like : — Like whom?" ftuivis is equally unfoitunate with his fly and the coach wheel, I have no wish to raise either dust, mist, or cloud. I dislike mists and mysteries. I wish the Province in general and the Provincial Council in particular to see clearly the way they are going, and anything which obscures their sight, I shall try to remove out of the way. I am an advocate for strict enquiry in all public matters j and this reminds me of a road to distinction fust suggested by " ftuivis" in his letter to the News ;—; — he suggests four questions ; to save the time of Council (as unpleasant questions get no replies) I will reply as far as I can. To the fiist — No ! if the Government had done so, much tiouble time and money would have been saved to the Piovincp. To the second — No ! it is not within the power of the Government, Mr Northcroft would not accept the appointment j to explain why I will aEk " Quivis " whether having been Captain of a Company he would like to be Corporal. Having briefly consideied that question, I would ask further, whether he supposes I should deem it a mark of distinction to accept an appointment under the present Provincial Government to carry out the designs of Messrs Brooking & Co. " ftuivis " does not know who is the proper peison to appoint a Cleik of Woiks, neither does he know the position, the duties, nor the qualifications of a Cleik of Works. The Architect or Engineer is the proper person to appoint ; because on him rests the responsibility. The Clerk of Works has to act for him in his absence, to serve as eyes for him when he is away, and should therefore be competent and trustworthy; incapable of being bribed, bullied or blinded ; his duties are to see that every part is carried out in accordance with the Plans and Specifications, and not to allow any deviation fiom either, without first obtaining in writing the the sanction of the Architect ; just as the Architect is responsible to his employer, so ought the Clerk to be responsible to the Architect; responsibility cannot be delegated, and dividing it always leads to confusion and mischief. A workman who is practically acquainted with the work he is appointed to inspect is the proper person for an inspector or Clerk ; if the Bridge be of stone then a Mason ; if of wood, then a Carpenter ; if of Iron, then a worker in Iron, &c. To the third— l shall be glad to have the question asked to elicit the nature of the

complaint, and the name of the individual who made it ; " never condemn a friend unheard, first let him know his accuser and his crime." To the fourth — Lindley Murray is the better Grammarian and Mr Northcroft's letter is a fair specimen of his grammar. And now may I ask, what have these questions to do with the enquiry ? do they prove that the best moans were employed to obtain for the Province the best Bridge at the least cost ? do they prove that an eligible design was received? do they prove that Colonel Mould's opinion was acted on in the award of a premium? If my " windy vapourings are replete with errors," let thorn be pointed out and proved ,• — if they relate to the Government I will apologise, if to the subject I will lecant. lam perfectly satisfied with my own motives for engaging in this discussion — I did not commence it for applause I sh^ll not be deterred by disapprobation. It is a sentiment universally admitted, and has been more than once suggested in the Colonial papers, that it is the duty of every good citizen to contribute to his ability for the general good ; and I ask any one to point out a line in my first letters on this subject contrary to this sentiment. I believed it was a subject on which I could contribute useful information and I acted afccoidingly. It is also the undoubted right of every one who has a voice in the election of representatives, to express an opinion on the conduct of public officers, and the expenditure of public funds. The subject is not one to be farcically dealt with, as"Putator" justly observes it demands enquiry. Who can have confidence in the progress or termination of a work which has had such a beginning ? I hope " Putator's " suggestion will be acted on for the benefit of all concerned, and no one would rejoice more at a clear and satisfactoiy termination than Your obedient servant, William Northcrott. Bell Block, September 9th, 1858.