ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 236, 22 October 1878, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

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

LE BON'S BAY TRACK. .. (

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.( Sir, —I am sorry Mr Duxbury has drawn me into this wordy battle' by'stating any| thing I ..aid with reference, to the abovf track, but at the .same time, any remark_; I made, I am "prepared to substantiate. At the Road Board; meeting to which Mr Duxbury refers, there were others spoke; upon the same subjeot, therefore it seem, invidious to quote a remark made by me. And further, I fail* to see Mr Duxbury's point in his (Heathen-. Chinee) quotation. Even if I said he was. interested, which I contend he is, _'|jt. no way accuse him of foul play ; but perhaps he thinks that way of putting it will be more taking with the ratepayers, ..";■,„ A . But what bunkum to talk about curiosity and patriotism with reference to this track. Surely IdEjjvDuxbury forgets he was Chairman of tjjer*-lo&d Board when the agreement with Mr>lnman was made, and at that time the Board thought Mr Inman

very reasonable through his taking the.old road and the Board paying cost of survey *-/,,' •" ■• and conveyancing for any diversion the'-V Board chose to make to improve the>track 1 , * ' and also Mr Duxbury has been member of *' the Board up to the present time, and waa party to calling for tenders to form thiß diversion, and also to paying for the work. Further. Mr Inman waited upon the Board several times to get the conveyances cxc- "" cuted, and was promised each time ifc should bo attended to forthwith. I think this was the time for Mr Duxbury'a patriotism and curiosity to have shewn forth. But surely his patriotism must have been slumbering, and his curiosity has only been stirred up since he became a purchaser of part of Mr Inman's property, and that part unfortunately happens to he where this particular diversion takes place. Therefore I hold it is bad **" policy to blow either your own * curious or patriotic trumpet; it is better to leave it for others to do so, as facts speak for themselves. ' •'" _ Now, Sir, I think it would not be out of place to mention what fell from Mr Duxbury at jthis particular meeting with reference to the Board's late Engineer and Clerk. He (Mr Duxbury) distinctly stated that the late Engineer had made such a «.,., report through his incompetency as to lead * the Board to adopt the diversion, and that Mr Inman, to serve a purpose, had represented the old road as impracticable. In « fact, Mr Duxbury had the bulk of the talk with reference to the whole transaction at - the meeting, and the inference I drew from his remarks was that there was collusion between the Board's late. Clerk (Mr Adams) m and Mr Inman. I In conclusion, Sir, it is to my dif&d.van|tage.thatl cannot wind up with either a '.'■■**> Latin or Heathen Chinee quotation, or " some far-fetched idea for the benefit of j the district, but must remain simply Yours, &c, ■ »' ' I .... ■ HENRY Jt>JfEß. Duvauehelle's Bay, Akaroa, Oct. 21.

REPLY TO FRIEND OF YOUTH. . * ♦ To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail. Sir, —I am very glad to see this question taken up, that is gambling in Akaroa. To « my knowledge, and also to that of a good many more residents of Akaroa, such a thing has existed in Akaroa for some time. " Friend of Youth" does not require to suggest tbat it'would be better for somo enterprising citizens to take this matter in hand, as we already have two such houses of call in town suitable to accommodate the rising youth of Akaroa—one in each part of the town. It is a great wonder that the parents.of those young men do not look a little better after them, as there *7 are some of them in responsible situations. i No later than the sittings of last Supreme Court, a young man convicted there confessed that it was through gambling he *» got himself into that position. Of all evils it is worse than any, as it is the steppingstone to the public-house, and the end in prison. Yours, &c, A FATHER OF YOUTH.