TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2631, 4 February 1868, Page 3

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Inquirer wishes to know if we have read one or two attacks upon this paper which have lately appeared in the correspondence columns of the Wairarapa Mercury. We have noticed the letters alluded to, but their meanness is bo palpable that we did not think either of them worth a reply. They both bear Btrong marks of "the office," and are evidently written by one person, though signed differently. No doubt a little abuse of tho Independent is, for the future, to form a standing dish for the delectation of the readers of the Mercury. The proprietors of the Mercury bear no good-will towards this journal, not only because they had lately to publicly recant certain slanderous assertions which they made respecting the editor of the Independent, but also because tho lattor paper has a circulation in the Wairarapa which is not flattering to Messrs Grigg. But these gentlemen may depend upon it that so long as the Mercury is published at double the price of the Independent, and contains in each issue about a fourth of the matter published in an issue of the Independent, tho Wairarapa people will prefer the latter paper. Our Wairarupa friends also know that the Independent baa always advocated their interests, that its columns are ever open to their complaints, and that in its selection of news the wants of the country settlers are constantly borne in mind. With respect to tho criticisms of " Wha-Drop-Shire," upon an article which appeared in this paper advocating the formation of an Agricultural Society, we will merely say, that none but a very careless reader would suppose that wo suggested that. the exhibitions of such a Society should be held in Wellington. We presume that a large majority of the members of an Agricultural Society would be proctical farmers, and they I would, of course, hold their shows in the most convenient place — in Wairarapa or anywhere else. What we did advocate was, tho formation of a Society in which the whole, and not »i part only, of the province, should be represented j and we urged the Wellington merchants te initiate such a movement, inasmuch as their interests are intimately bound up with the agricultural prosperity of the province Our reusons for thinking Wellington tho mos' suitable piaco for the hend-quarters of such n Society have already been given $ but, provided the scheme itself be carried out, we aro indifferent aa to the details.

ABSTRACT OF SALES BY AUCTION. Messes BfiTHtrctE and Hunter.— This Day, at V 2 o'clock, at their Stockvard — Horses. This Day, at 2 o'clock, at the stores of Messrs A. P. Stuart & Co— Steamer Go-ahead. Me J. H. Hohnee.— On Wednesday, February 5, at the Uutt Market— Cattle and Sheep. Messes Bethune and Hunter. — On Tuesday, February 11, at 2 o'clock, at the Exchange — Paperhangings. MeEjdwaed Owen.— On Thursday, February 13, at 2 o'clock, at the Odd Fellows' HallFurniture.