SPOTTIS LARRIKINISM.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1047, 12 May 1882, Page 3

SPOTTIS LARRIKINISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —My exposure of theSpottislarrikinism has drawn the badger, and the everlasting theme is again to the foreground. Though the reflections cast upon Blacks school and children in the district through the public prints amount to legion, yet they have no diversity of origin. I will give a substantial premium for the production of one solitary disparaging sentence that was unknown to “ Veracity” before its publication. Pmm the samo source, although it displays a'gross amount of ignorance, has the compulsory clause been thrown at the Blacks School Committee, It has been before stated, and can be readily proved, that the children within the range mentioned by the clause attend very fairly without compulsion, and the committee can hardly he expected to bo foolish enough to attempt to enforce attendance outside tho prescribed distance. But instead of uselessly harping at them to do what is not in their power, the attendance from a distance might be increased were a good example set, and to “Veracity” the committee may well say, “ Sweep before your own door before you stricture others.” Heading a plea that the treatment the boys received was justifiable on account of damages they bad done, and a tirade of vituperation levelled at the whole population of the district generally and myself in particular, 1 am directly charged with making wilful misrepresentations knowing them to be such. Yet only one statement I made is gainsayed,—the boys, it is said, did not scream, hue were only too glad to get away. I should think they ought to have been after passing through the ordeal of being coupled together like felons, and in a barbarous manner to booh Their bands were tied behind their backs, and the right arm of the one tied to the left of the other. Imprisoned for a time in the hut, then bundled into a cart and driven to the abode of their captors about three miles distant ; here they were again shut up in an outhouse and told they would make food for the rats ; threatened all the while with being taken to jail ; and finally after being in the hanes of their persecutors from about 10 a.m. till sundown, were turned adrift, still tied in thesamemannortowalk tbreemilesto their home. Let your readers judge whether boys of 9 and 11 years would be. most likely to cry lor laugh during such treatment And then wo are told this was only done to prepare them for punishment. Laying violent hands upon the children of others would be degrading even to the uncivilized, nut in tho nineteenth century, under New Zealand laws, snob actions areindefencible, no matter

what the provocation, and those who could perpetrate or defend such have scant c'aims to a high social or civilized rank. Mark the lack of consistency shown in the defence. The hand that proclaims the community ro he morally socially and civilly corrupt takes up the foils in defence of a barbarous action. But why mention consistency? it has neither part nor lot in the com position of “ Veraeby.” Every family with children of school i.ge resident within .‘i,| miles is, or has been a* times represented at the Blacks School during the past twelve months, except one. and. incredible though it may appear, from thence comes the cry to institute compulsory attendance. From this standpoint let the effusion I "in dealing with and others ho judged.. One word as to the plea of justification on the score of damages one. There ’is Hist a hoy found under a hush with a lapful of onions. Is this boy of 10 or 11 years still clothed in petticoats ? or was he supplied with an apron for the occasion? Had it been said that he had his pockets full, or his hat full, or even had a bag full it might appear credible ; but. aby with a lapful, and that lapful stolen onions is very doubtful. “Veracity,” indeed I And even to mention, if it is expected to be believed, that his mother sent him, is the grossest libel ever penned. Next comes the breaking of the windows, said to have been confessed to by the boys. Yet bow comes it that those who ought to know say that the windows were wholly or partially broken months ago ? Then how did the hoys get into the hut ? There is evidence there was a means of fastening the door; arc these juveniles able to pick locks ? or was this valuable alarm clock and pedestal and other articles of value which is said to have been dcstioyol left in this isolated hut, distanced about three miles from the abo'e of the owner without the door being secured ? Venerable “Veracity,” there is a pail hanging over these simple queries blacker than Egyptian darkness and which columns of

vituperation and abuse are powerless to dispel. Tho fabric you have raised as a cloak and an excuse for your prnlprjm is rotten at tho core and totters on its foundations. Withdraw' from “ Voracity's” pica the semblance of falsehood which thickly overlays it and suppose it to he true, and even then such actions arc not worthy to bo defended by the lowest members of a civilised community and much less by one who cries aloud against the lewdness of the inhabitants around.

“ Let the galled jade wince. My withers still unwrung.” Tho badger may further grin and growl as instinct may di-cct ; hut having effectually drawn the front teeth the bite will bo harmless, and further resistance by me superfluous.—l am, &c‘.. Your Correspondent.

Mrs Mackay, wife of the Bonanza King recently paid £4,000 for a dress. It was originally made for the Empress Eugenic, and took fourteen years’ labor of the host lace-makers in Brussels. Mrs Mackay h„a had her picture taken in this match less' robe, the painting costing 25,000d01, and she is now sitting for another to cost ID.OOUdoI.