TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 198, 8 May 1866, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.

triumph over tho winner. I'll call them all flukes if he likes, but never, no novor, will I cast such an aspersion on any ono connected with the Panama, Now Zealand, and Australian Mail Company as to call thorn " mysterious" flukes. In conclusion, allow mo to remark, that I do not consider tho Pannma Company to bo tho only people who aro privileged to have thoir vessels' good runs recorded in tho paper; and if the Olago Steamship Company think fit tohavo ono of their quick passages'brought before tho public, it Inight, provided tho statements published cannot bo refuted, bo allowed to pass, without tho necessity arising of abusing tho writer. I trust Mr White will look upon it in this light, and allow tho matter to drop at this point, as I most certainly shall ; but should that gentleman think fit to have the last word in tho controversy, and again address tho public, not on tho point in question, but on tho deeply interesting topic of my intellectual capacities, ho is wolcomo to do so, without fear of reply. I remain, Sir, &c, &0., JonN llougiiton.

Sib, —l notice in your issue of this morning a letter signed by Mr White, who it seems has taken umbrage at a publication, which appeared in Saturday's paper, and trounces tho unknown oditor thereof in no niensured terms. After muoh hesitation, when contemplating the utter annihilation I may subject mysolf to by haying that gentleman's irony directed against myself, instead of, as herotoforo, against some person or persons unknown, I have decided upon running the risk of acknowledging mysolf the owner of that crude, inflated/'boyishintollect/'and that fool, ■who has rushed in where angols fear to tread (does ho alludo to tho toes of the Panama Company) ; and at tho samo timo I humbly supplicate that pity, which tho gentleman so generously proffers. But before proceeding, I should liko to mollify Mr White by a vrell-incrited tribute to the beauty and purity of hisitylo. "Boyish intellect" though I havo, I should bo able to take a lesson therefrom, did not my unbounded admiration for this caustic sarcasm, his witty irony tako away my breath. Hiß pun upon tho word " Crack" must havo caused your readers many a side-splitting laugh j I can hardljr write when I think of it. Mr White is indisposed to question tho fact, that the " Albion," by some " mysterious fluke," managed to reach Melbourne an hour before the Rangitoto. Ido not wonder at it, as facts aro generally supposed to be indisputable, but, Mr White, why call it a flukot tho Raugitoto's reputation, you know, needs no bolstering by excuse-making. A " mysterious fluke," too Mr W ! What' a direful inuendo mysteriously gleams through that word mysterious ? Is treachery on the Albion's part darkly hinted ? Aro blackvisaged and black-hearted confederates sooretcd in tho Rangitoto's infernal rogions, who, bribed by porfido Albion's sordid gold, got drunk in their watch, and did not firo up? In tho words of tho immortal Ward (Artomtis) 'Tis too much Mr Wite, a darnod site too much!" When penning my former communication my " crude and boyish intellect" led mo to fancy that excuses to account for the losing ofttior&ce wero provided against, but little dreamt I of the quenchless fountain of expedients that can flow from tho pon of a White. A fluke is no excuse! Well, then, I will improve my stylo } I will follow his medical advice, and o'en swallow the "facts" he mentions; but grant me the privilege he claims, and I will never, wlion glorifying my favorite boat, if she is beaten, bury my ignomonious head beneath tho bod coals. May Ibe keelhauled if I fly to a dirty, bottom fqr a rescue! I'l) call it» fluke! »u'l