Original Correspondence.

Dunstan Times, Issue 271, 5 July 1867, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

We ilt> not Identify uurselves ivitli the opinions expressed by our correspondents.) THE LATE BURNING IN EFFIGY AT DUNSTAN CREEK. '(TO THE EDITOK OF TUF. DUXStVN TI*IES.) Sir,—Under the pceiuiar circumstances of the case, and actuated by a spirit of fair play, 1 trust you will be good enough to afford me an opportunity of replying to the acnrrillous and impudent offiiona of that distinguished individ ual knownas au occasional correspondent of yours but locally, and more familiarly, as the "Shylock-' of that very ancient, aristocratic, and important city St. Bathan's, yclept Dunstan Creek, which appeared in your columns on the 10th of May last. Through the good offices of a friend (ahtieip iting that the thing would a i u >e me) 11 ;arne 1 all the particulars of the honor, paid to the "ftreatMogul" by the "Mulligans" of the above 'distinguished city. On perusal of same, my risible faculties became so excited that I burst into an immoderate tit of laughter, and would have treated the matter with the contempt it deserved ; but, in deference to the wishes of my friends, I beg, through the columns of your •journal, to afford the public a little information. Now, Sir, the sum and substance of Mr. Shylock's attack on me is wholly based on personal petty spite and sheer envy at the success principally of my worldly undertakings at St. Bathan's, to his discomfiture—having ousted that worthy as mail contractor —filling the most prominent positions in St. Bathan's ; Until, chagrined with the chicannery, ignorance, f.ud selfishness of the small-fry I was associated with, I threw up in disgust .the positions I "hold, namely, Secretary of the Town Improvement Committee, Secretary to the Union Church Committee, and Chairman of the School Coni'faittee. tt was through my exertions and influence that a grant was obtained for the new road to Blackstone-hill. Through the same instrumentality twenty-six acres of the best ground 'in the St Bathan's Basin were granted by Government to a company for the construction of "a sludje channel. Through my exertions the name of the place was changed to St. Bathan's, " and last, but not least, through my exertions the Union Church was erected in that locality. I could enumerate other services which 1 rendered, but that would be trespassing too much upon your space. Suffice it to say that, if 1 were in any other place but Dunstan Creek, my exertious .as a public man would be duly appreciated. As it is, the few inhabitants in St. Bathan's who have any pretentions to respect- ' ability and truth cannot but admit these facts. .1 now come to the bottom of this farce. Your correspondent would wish the public to believe that the "Great Mogul," the notorious exScrgcant Lynch, was annihilated in being burned in effigy by a few of the blackguards of Dunstan Creek. 1 am of a different opinion. I believe the "Mulligans" could not pay me a greater compliment, and I accept it as such. If I were one of themselves they would not honor nie so highly. I-will now give yon the sole cause of their hostilities, if any. When I sold out thore was a considerable amount of money owing to me. 1 could not obtain payment without putting the law in motion, and I calmly considered that the current coin of the realm was more satisfactory to me than the. opinions of my debtors. I -■would not allow them to swindle me, I put the law in motion, and they had to pay or go to jail. That may bo one of the secondary causes. Now for the primary. I resigned /.he Chairmanship of the School Committee, the Secretaryship of the Church Committee, because, with the exception of a very few in the Committees, I would nor demean myself by being associated with them in anything for tho public Welfare. .. For instance, the Union Church was erected by private contributions, and built solely as a place for public worship. The School Committee

were anxious to have a school-house, hut were unable to erect one. Negociations were set on ' .foot to obtain the use of the church for a school, j 1 consented, provided the building would not be j used for other purposes, and the Church Committee to have the right of public worship there as UHiial, the small bebt to be paid, and the building finished. I never anticipated, by this an?m<.'ement, that the building would be used for other purposes than the combined ones of >,ehool and I'hnrch ; but, .what was th° result ? No sooner did Shvlock and his associates, get possession of the building than they commenced their wnrk of degradation. A soiree was announced : it.was carried unanimously that I should preside as chairman: it was kintec! that they would have a dance after the soiree was over. 1 protested vehemently against such a scandal. 1 held myself in readiness to preside, in accordance with the motion carried. But, lo ! Before tea was half over, one of the " Mulligan" Committee stood up, and proposed a miner as chairman who knew nothing whatever of the programme, and who was a perfect stranger to such entertainments. In the face of this ignorant insult to myself 1 supported th« newly appointed chairman. The soiree was a great success. Mr. Kenny carried out my wishes and su"eestipns in a most gentlemanly manner., At midnight I requested him to. dissolve the meeting.by singing the National Anthem. He, as chairman, announcedthe meeting over. Every one was apparently satisfied but the rough and tumble lot. 1 attempted to turn down the lights, but was. prevented bv some of the School Committee. They wanted to have a dance. Shylock wanted to sell his pop; another wanted to sell something else: and the result was a most scandalous job. ,The House, of God was turned into a dancing saloon and a grog shantv, and from that night until I cleared out of the horrid place it was the rendezvous for everything objectionable to the intentions of its promoters. .. ■, 1. in my turn, was assailed by some of the original subscribers—men whose feelings for decorum and decency, were not dead, and, at the request of these gentlemen, I posted up up notices to this effect: — "A Special Meeting of the Subscribers to and Promoters of the Union Church will \>e held in the building for the purpose of takinc into consideration >tha oondnct of the School Committee in devotins the Church to improper purposes, and permitting dancing to l>e carried on and intoxicating drinks to be sold therein. "J. W. Lynch, Sec. to Church Committee." I demanded the key from Mr. Smith, the Chairman of the School Committee. I was refused the key. and we had no meetine, separating with feelings of the strongest indignation at the unworthy conduct of such a miserable set. ....... , This vexed question caused a considerable amount of angry feeling. 1 certainly denounced them in no measured terms, threatening at one time to publish an account of such scandal in the press. These matters hastened my views of clearing out altogether. 1 was successful in selling out remarkably well. I entered the place with £230, and retired with £1,(500 in two years, less one month ; so that, on the principle that wise men arc always successful, I can afford to laugh at such a lot of rubbish. I was a fortnight in the Creek after selling out, and no man dared to wag his little finger at me. But lo ! When Shvlock finds lam at a safe distance, he, assassin-like, fires his shot at my back. He had not the manliness or courage to do anything else. But, Sir, my pnblic career and character Is too well known in Victoria and Otago to be affected bv the drunken freaks of a few prejudiced individuals. If I want employment under any Government I have something more tangible to | en'itle me to consideration than the enmitv of j such a person as Mr. Shylock, or the drunken conduct of a few of the rowdv blackguards of the rowdy Dunstan Creek. I know some charactera there who would burn in effigy the most I worthy and ponular man in Otago, and drum on any amount of kerosene tins for a few nobblers ; of whisky. . I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, JOHN \V. LYNCH.