ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 54, 23 January 1877, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

.[We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents.]

to the editor of the akaroa mail. Sir, —It was with the greatest surprise I read in your issue of the 12th instant a letter, signed " First Footers," in which they make it appear that they were very badly treated by the occupants of Blue Gum Cottage. I would remind "First Footers" that persons that live in glass houses should never throw stones. In fact, if there were any cause for complaint it was the occupants of the cottage that were the aggrieved. On the morning of January first, I was aroused out of my sleep by the report of two guns being fired off, and knocking on the walls of my house, and of course I was at a loss to know what it all meant. When I got out of bed and went to the window I discovered four men whom I knew at once, parading, about the building. As I had met with an accident shortly before, I was unable to. go down stairs to entertain them, but merely put a'little loose powder in my gun and fired it out of the window, after they 3iad left in acknowledgment of their compliments of the season. The cap did snap as " First Footers" say when they decamped, and raised the false report of my having fired on them' • Probably " First Footers " were disappointed because I did not give them a pound as one of my neighbours did to get them to clear out. Now, Mr. Editor, to be directly accused of firing a loaded gun on -a fellow being I consider a', very grave charge, and one " First Footers" shall.hear more about. I am,.&c, ONE OF THOSE ACCUSED.

TO THE.EDITOR OF THE AKAROA MAIL. Sir,—Would you kindly alloAv me a small space in your valuable columns. I notice in your issue of the 19th inst., a report of the County Council meeting held on the 18th inst., in which Mr. Baker, the member for Wainui Riding, is reported to have said that there has been a great deal of money wasted on the Peninsula. I quite agree Avith that gentleman ; but he does not state that the money has been wasted by the Road Board through local prejudices. I should like that gentleman to explain through your columns Ms knoAVledge of thevyaste of monies that he complains of. Perhaps- he means monies Avasted through our engineer and staff, as I invariably see two or three gangs of men riding and hanging about in hotels, not only day after day, but week after week. I should like to knoAV Avhether this is the Avaste of money Mr. Baker complains of, or Avhether, if money is to be saved, Avould it not be better for the. District Engineer's officers to be attending to their duties instead of Avasting their time about the vicinity of the Resident Magistrate's Court, 'which is of frequent occurrence with the District Engineer's Officers. I also notice Mr. Baker complains of local prejudice in making roads to this man's house and the other man's house. Now, if a man has the pleasure of living on a particular road I should like to knoAV what cause he has. to complain of another man getting a road made to his house, AA'hich I have every reason to believe and contend that Aye should all enjoy equal rights. Perhaps Mr. Baker complains of Akaroa possessing two paid magistrates, which I consider is quite unnecessary,, because I contend if any gentleman holds the appointment of a J. P. he has no right to be an officer of the CroAvn, and I also contend that any gentleman receiAung a large salary from the Government has no right Avasting his time about a court-house, but 'when people require his services they are informed that he is too busy, and has not time to attend to their requirements. Perhaps Mr. Baker will be kind enough to look to all these things if the County Council Act is adopted in its entirety. Perhaps Mr. Baker has some knoAvledge of how much money has been spent on the Peninsula during the last tAvo years in special "grants ; also, perhaps that gentleman knows what sum it has cost to expend those special grants.' These special grants haA'e not been spent by the Road Board. Yours, &c., - A RATEPAYER. [In justice to the gentleman Avho fills the position of Engineer for this district, and who holds the commission of a J.P. for the colony, Aye may mention -that his presence on the Bench is of rare occurrence. We believe that Aye are correct in stating that on each occasion he sat, the R.M.. was. debarred from presiding in consequence _of being either a prosecutor under the Registration of Births Act or partially interested in the case for adjudication. Therefore our correspondent's attack is wholly unmerited, as the gentleman in question Avas compelled to obey the order, or forfeit his commission. The District Engineer has no staff under him.—Ed. A.M.]