IRISH RELIEF FUND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 114, 17 June 1880, Page 2

IRISH RELIEF FUND.

To the Editor. Sir, —With your permission I wish to say a few words respecting “ Subscriber’s” letter in your issue of the 12th inst. He asks whether it was not part of my duty to have seen that the money was sent in proper time, etc.? I answer, No. I have admitted myself to be a member of the Committee, but only in replying to “ Subscriber,” and because I was considered by the promoters to be such. His wholesale condemnation seemed to me to be very unfair—considering the difference between such as myself, who had nothing to say in the matter, and those who attended the meeting and all to say. Further, I have never seen a notice by the Mayor calling a meeting of the Committee, but I have no doubt that he did so. Moreover, I had a better opinion of your burghers until now, than to allow a meeting to lapse for want of a quorum. lie next makes a comparison betwixt myse'f and Mr. Ivess—an accomplished journalist—who baffled the learned triumvirate in the law. Surely “ Subscriber” cannot be serious, for it is like comparing the twinkling of a little star to the influence of the great orb of day ; otherwise it is surely a compliment to a horney-fisted son of the plough. He uses the word “ meagre.” If it is in connection with my subscription, to say the least, it is uncharitable. X wish him to take my advice in such a cause. Let him remember the words of the Great Teacher concerning the widow’s mite. That a certain part of my letter was irrele. ant I admit. I admire the way he has treated it, and hope that some of your burghers will take it to heart—hypocrisy I detest. It appears to me that I have been treated with something like Jeeddart justice I was made a member of the Committee without my assent ; I was requested to leave my cornfields in the heat of harvest and canvass the district for subscriptions ; and because I did not do so—what then. Stand forth, “Subscriber”—you are the judge, and your sentence is that my conduct has been “disgraceful and inhuman.” I forgive him, and think the end he has in view may somewhat justify the means. I will have nothing more to say on the matter, and I hope the money will be at once forwarded, and without further delay. Now, sir, concerning your paper. How is it that we cannot get the Saturday’s issue till the following Tuesday ? Why should your courier come lagging along behind his fellow like a poor wounded deer. Advise him to use a little more of Jehu’s style of riding—not the Jehu that came to grief at Baldwin’s hotel, but the one mentioned in the old book —that we may be able to descry him in the distance : “ The herald of a noisy world, With news from all nations lumbeung at his back. The important budget, the grand debate. The popular harangue, and tart reply — We long to know them all.” I am, &c,, Wakanui James Brown. [Jehu has obtained a new whip, which he will use on Saturday next. —Ed., (?.]