The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8,1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 551, 8 November 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8,1872.

o BeneaththeUuleof Men entirely justti the i-kx is MIOUTIKR than the sword.

Oua Tuapeka contemporary bus, with characteristic ardour, embraced the role of the Eaianswill Gazette ; but we must refuse to gratify his vanity by accepting the rival position of the Independent. Until now we have endeavored to discuss public matters from an independent point of view, without descending either to personality or insult, and we intend to continue to act upon the same principles until the Tuapeka Times has conclusively proved, to the satisfaction of all mankind, that abuse is logic and rant a lofty form of eloquence. Our contempoiary wa« intent upon murder —he has only achieved suicide. By his resoitingto vulgarabuseand insult, he has conclusively proved to the minds of all disinterested persons how indefensible is the position taken by the supporters of the Tuapeka Railway, and how thoroughly selfish are its promoters. The article, reviewing that which appeared in a recent issue of this paper, reviewing the comparative merits of the Tuapeka and Waipahi schemes, is, in no sense of the word, a “reply.” It simply gives the lie direct to everything calculated to awaken the public to a true estimate of the question at issue, and does not attempt to strengthen i's position bv

the slightest evidence. It is even batrjii of assertion, the only exception being in regard to the area of nonauriferous agricnltnraHandin the Tuapeka district; anil herethe action oflccal mining societies, reported in its own columns, is a, sufficient and conclusive proof of the accuracy of onr statements. In short, after denuding ■onr contemporary's article of its slangy and vulgar abuse, we find the only inducement held out to the Dim«tan residents to support the Tuapeka scheme is a promise of the continued patronage of high andmighty Lawrence! If they dare to listen to the suggestions of reason and common sense, and further, to the best of their ability, the mere feasible and beneficial Cen. tral Trunk Line, they are threatened with the immediate withhrawal of this countenance The threat is awful, and is certain to have a weighty influence.. That Tuapeka, in which we live, and move, and have our being, should withdraw her support, suggests terrible possibilities. Will the Sun dare to shine on a locality frowned upon by the Mayorand Town Council of Lawrence ] durst the Molvnenx hrigate districts under the ban of the mild, courteous, and courtly Tuapeka Times] Like the Noodle on whose ovationsourcon temporary hasevidently modelled his style, we pause for a reply To point his feeble satire, onr Tuapeka friend has descended to abuse of the literary department of this paper. Were we so disposed, wc might, with a greater show of reason, respond by a tu qitoque ; but we are saved the trouble, as our critic, by praising the literacy merits of an article furnished by a regular contributor to these columns, completely refutes his own kindly and courteous attack. In conclusion, we can only urge upon our readers to treat with contempt and indifference the sneers and attack of interested and selfish organs Abuse is the natural consequence of a fearless and independent expression "f opinion, and when wc touched upon the railway question, we were quite prepared to endure a fair proportion. There are so many local interests involved, that a patriotic attempt to have public funds expended in the way most : beneficial to the whole public of the | Colony was like stirring up a hornet’s , nest,. Fortunately the old adage, “ Twice is lie armed who hath his quarrel just,” is applicable to our i case, ana in future we shall regard all such attacks with the contemptuous silence winch they richly merit. Era? another few weeks, a second i Vice-liegal visit will, in all probability, be paid to Clyde. His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Bowen, accompanied by Lady Bowen, and the Honorable Mr. Waterh nise, the Premier, purpose making a tour of the Gold-fields, and will undoubtedly visit this town, and probably, as did his Excellency Sir George Grey, remain for one night. Whether we may be thus honored or not. it behoves ns to give the representative of Her Majesty, a proper and becoming re. caption. It is not only a duty which wo owe to our Sovereign, but, by so doing, we are indirectly serving ourselves in a variety of shapes ; we do not recommend am thing of an extravagant nature, but a reception such as our means will justify. When Sir George Grey honored us with his presence, the then Mayor, our respected and enterpi ising townsman, Mr. J. D. Feraud, most nobly exerted himself to do honor to ; the occasion, and assisted by the members of the Corporation, n programme that did credit to tiic citizens, was ably carried out, and upon the coming occasion we should like to see a somewhat similar demonstration. We may say that we feci assured the citizens of Clyde will in this matter, exert themselves and preserve the high repute their town has always held for liberality and hospi tality, although we may be compelled to put our hands into our pockets to accomplish all this. There will be an evident gain upon our outlay ; the town will be full of visitors, both male and female, and who will all expend something, and the more attractive we make the place, the greater will be our number of visitors. At the present time we possess a Townhall worthy of a place ten times the size of Clyde, and, for any public ceremony or celebration, there is no superior building out of Dunedin. A banquet and ball should not be lost sight of. We have accomplished the same under much less favorable circumstances, and now that we possess such facilities, nothing should become more easy. It. is the duty of the

Mayor and Corporation to be up and stirring in the matter. There is but little time to lose, and the sooner the note of preparation is heardthe better.