HEWERS OF WOOD V. MASHERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7981, 27 September 1887, Page 2

HEWERS OF WOOD V. MASHERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I must again crave your kind indulgence, so that I may disabuse the mind of a "Thirty Years' Old Settler," who evidently concluded from my advocating: the education of the people's children that I must be nr he probubly would call them "Ono of: tli'l Bloated Aristocrats," His letter calls to my mind the time I did sentry go at Forts Niger and Carringtoa and Dingle's farm, the old shed where the present weighbridge stands, and also picknt opposite Ward's house on the South Road, when gentlemen of the same old crouk cry used to be my companions. It wub immensely amusing tp listen to them. lam sorry to state that Taranaki unforlunutely had conferred upon it the sobriquet .j. Urn Scratch Back district because the old Bottlers were so intensely selfish.

I lament I'iat n 33 years' old settler should still • <\nq to ancient ideas and custom, and loped that he would ere this have been v hule more cosmopolitan and generous by not objecting to assist the education of the rising generation at the expense of a littio taxation — but use, I suppose, becomes sacond nature. The tanor of n, " Thirty-three Years Settlor's " letter is that I objocted to retrenchment altogether, Idu nothing of the kind, sir t

I om in accord with him to do away with tho Governor. They are only toys— an autoraurom figure clothed in garb of office with a rubber stnmp in hand could do al) the work in respect of attaching signatures. But if we must have a Governor let os have an elected one, so that our citizens may strive by good works to gain tho affections of the peeple, and so be elected to tho highest position in the land. Such an honor being open to all, we should have no more of tbat paltry title Sir being conferred, which 90 times out of a 100 is got through influence and not deserts. Our wealthy men also would be induced to remain in place of trotting Home and spending their money. I also agree with him that a reduction of expenses of both Houses of the Legislature should be made, and that ohurch property should be taxed, bat Ido not agree whh him that there is' more honesty in a farm boy or a lad reared on a farm than a town masher dude, as he calls him. Did he ever buy a horse or cow from one of these formretred boys solely upon their word of honor statement? If h« has not I have, and to my sorrow. There's a something about cattle and horse selling that develops the finer susceptibilities of the farm-reared young man. Oh, yes ! Oh, yes! Now, Sir, "Thirty-three years Settler" says in writing of civil servants that he has always found them uncivil. For myself, I have in Christchurcb, Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington, on a great many occasions had to apply to civil-servants for information, which has always been most courteously' given to me. True, my request has been couched in respectful language. I have bad no experience in Taranaki, consequently cannot refute his statement; that is to Bay j if he refers to them. I have found on oae or two occasions the young men behind the Taranaki bank counters a little snappish, but I have always made allowance, knowing myself what it is to be in love, or muddled a trifle ifr my figures by overwork. "More than a Thirty- three years settler" conoludes his letter by stating the electors are not to be hood- j winked by one like me. He says L am, he , expects, drawing hundreds or thousands j every year (I only wish I had), that I am fearing the loss of my salary. Poor man, or rather, I should say, poor old man of sixty 1 1 hope you will live to a ripe old age, ho that your mind may become disabused of the idea that because a writer advocates the dissemination of knowledge, it must be done tor a selfish object. " Poor old cousin I " Learn, read, and inwardly digest the knowledge that I milk cows for my living, and get Bd. per lb. for my butter; and if the ring has it long, all their own way, I don't expect more than4d; and am, like yourself,— A Tabanaki Settler.