ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 64, 27 February 1877, Page 3

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.]

Hoav Noav ! What's the Matter ? King Henry V. To Horse ! To Horse !! G. R. Joblin.

to the editor of the akaroa mail

Sir, —I have waited in expectation of some oracle making utterance upon the result of the late election for the Railway and Drainage Trust, as far as the Borough of Akaroa is concerned ; but there appears to be a tacit understanding to avoid the subject as something that the less said about the better. Has it not occurred to the free and independent citizens that they must have waxed beautifully less in the estimation of outsiders, in not being able to produce a man within the precincts of the mayor's dominions to represent them —a municipality that can boast of a common seal with a Latin motto—but had to travel over the hills and far away to beg the question ? There would appear to have been an unaccountable apathy in the matter, especially when we remember and consider the enthusiasm displayed by them on one or two occasions anent the Trust Bill. Have they discovered that the thing they have been lauding, extolling, and worshipping, is not what they fondly took it to be ? Have they not had the honour of assisting to make every railway in New Zealand, and does not this "Magna Charta" confer upon them the still greater honour, —the inestimable privilege of making their own railway and paying for it themselves independently of outside help? Then what is the matter? There is evidently a re-action of opinion in the matter, or is the newly constituted municipality becoming thus early in its existence a pocket-borough of an Old Sarum No. 2 ?—lf so, I can sympathise with you, Sir, as a journalist. I can conceive what must be your feelings in the situation, after so fondly believing and hoping that in pitching your tent where you have done, you had at last found a haven of rest, unsullied by the common considerations of ordinary humanity, and peopled by a community, free in spirit, and as impenetrable to the temptations or the pressure of electioneering tactics, as the hills by which your beautiful harbour is surrounded. You may, in your tribulation, cast your eyes round, and still see the hills in their primitive beauty; but alas! you will exclaim, "where? Oh! where are the free and independent citizens? and echo will loudly answer, where! I think you mention in one of your reports, that great interest was taken in the election —I am not sure, but I think at Wainui—and the electors appeared determined that no effort should be untried in order to secure the drainage, &c. Now, when I read this my first impression was that you were a new chum ; but eventually I concluded that you were joking. You may rest assured that the electors would each support his man. with equal sang froid and energy, had the question been the desiiability of erecting a lighthouse on the top of Mount Cook. However, as farasthe Trust Board is concerned, the two gentlemen you have elected will do as well as any other. One of them must, I think, be rather astonished at the result, as I understand he never can command over a dozen votes on any question in his own district. But then a prophet is nobody in his own country. I opine his constituents in New Guinea will be somewhat disappointed, as I understand that it was his intention had he failed in being elected for either constituency to proceed to that distant country to commence the auctioneering business, a calling for which, taking into consideration his marvellous eloquence, he is eminently fitted. Sir, patriotism now a-days is not what it used to be. Testimonials, in which the precious metals play an important part, are the ultimate aim and end of all patriotism— that is to say, any action that can by any process of argument be construed as such Men do not now enter into public matters or public life (I don't mean publicans) for the love of country. If a chasm were to open in front of the Town Hall, in Akaroa —as in the old Roman days—or in Cathe-dral-square, in Christchurch, and the sacrifice of a patriot was required before it would close again, I don't think we could produce one who would jump into the ' gulf in either case, especially if a testimonial was placed on the opposite side, and the choice was between the two. The patriot would make for the cup, and keep well round the crater. lam degressing from the subject I intended to talk about, but I feel strong on testimonials, and you will excuse me ; but if you, Sir, should make up your mind at any time to " go " for one, I will contribute, as I think that you ought to be compensated in some way, after having been induced—no doubt under doubtful representations—to reside in a borough of such questionable politics as Akaroa. Posterity will wag its head mysteriously, and speak in whispers when it relates how, in the nineteenth century, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, as soon as it became a municipality, and acquired a common seal with power to do and to suffer, lost its head, and went astray ; and when it becomes my turn to solicit old Charon's assistance in crossing the creek, and he is about to enter me on his way-bill as " goods from Akaroa," I shall deny the soft impeachment. I am, &c, AQUA.