CORRESPONDENCE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2464, 8 November 1876, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE COMING BANQUET TO W. JiOWE, M.H.E. To the Editor of tiio Thames Advertised Sib,—No doubt there will be a great korero and many flattering things will be said to and by Mr Bowe at the great feed that is coming off. But as one of the great unwashed, who cannot afford 10s 6d for a dinner, and who is unable to see the immense benefit the Government have, done for the Thames, or Auckland either, except the privilege empowering local bodies to imitate the great Yogelian policy of borrowing money and taxing the people, I protest against the reception being considered more than the.expression of; opinion of those only who attend the banquet, i.e., friends and admirers of Eowe. Perhaps some one will ask him about that sailing match over miles of the, Piako Swamp. If he did it before he can surely do it -again, and as a part of our member's welcome back I propose we get up a regatta, or something of that sort, on the swamp, and'ask Billy to sail over the course; and, whilst old friendships are being renewed, perhaps our delegates may reveal the result of their important mission to Wellington. I don't know that it has been made public. And why this mystery? One thing is certain, we have lost nearly everything here now, but honour and life, and what on earth we have to be thankful to the Government, .or their supporters, for, is more than I can tell. However, it was a wise step to make the tickets 10s 6d, as few—except Government men or their supporters, because benefited by some scheme of theirs -can afford to be so extravagant; and for that reason, if for no other, will the spread at. the banquet have no weight as an expression of public feeling.—Yours, & Cl> Blue Jackbt.