DREAD SIR

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4990, 15 February 1883, Page 3

DREAD SIR

. TO THX EDITOR. Sir,— Mr Thomas Thatcher shows hia spleen in not being returned among the four representatives of the Harbor Board by showering down abuse on those who -were returned. I.jdare say, from Mr Thatcher's point of view, this town of Wanganui may date the commencement of its actual start on its way to the infernal regions from the hour the ratepayers refused him. Mr Thatcher is doubtless a. very, clever fellow; but when he honored this town by pitching his tent here, Wanganui was prosperous. I , have little doubt that if he left and returned again, be his absence for a year or for ten, he would find the town in exactly the same position on the jriap, and more prosperous. So much for his fears. As Mr Thatcher seemstq be of opinion that somehow or other he i divinely appointed to correct the errors , and, reprove the follies of the ratepayers of the town, and is now very, very angry, as ;by£hit speech at the County Council, I would suggest a petition be sent to him, to.be signed by the four candidates lately "elected^ lest a worse thing happen, re* numbering that the unknown' is always dreaded.

(raOPOSED PETITION.)

Good Mr Thomas Thatcher and others concerned:—

"We the. undersigned very respectfully beg your mbst favorable consideration of this our humble petition.' We acknowledge your gr^at, power, your great wisdom, and your great and accurate information on all matters, connected with the harbor works ' and bridge question, Sic,, &c., and are willing to admit that you are generally in the right, andj that we and other officials are, in comparison with yourself, bnt small potatoes. Still, we think you are hard oo»us. It is excellent to have a giant's strength and intellect, but tyrranous to use those qualities like a giant. We should like to be allowed, now and then, to state a fact, or | give an opinion, withont being snubbed and jset down as ignoramuses or noodles, and " when your strong sense of truth, logic, and clear statements compel you to correct us, we numbly entreat that you would be con- , tent with thesuperiority manifested in setting us right withont knocking ub down, calling ns names, *nd kicking us at the same time. We beseech yon, dread sir, to let ns have our little say in peace, which would gratify us very much without hurting you, and your petitioners will ever pray, «c. If this petition is signed by the four candidates returned to theTETarbor Board for the town, on behalf of themselves and the quiet commonplace ratepayers in town they represent, it is possible a salutary effect might ensue.— l am, 4c, ' En Avatjt 1