A VOICE FROM EARNSCLEUGH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1105, 6 July 1883, Page 3

A VOICE FROM EARNSCLEUGH.

TO THE EDITOR. In your issue of the 29;b Juno appears from Mr D. Maekellar “a moat beautiful epistle, “ such luxuriant language,” “how pleasing to read, and what enKghtment to us Southern ratepayers of the Vincent County,” but our faculties are so clouded we cannot appreciate the good Mr D. Mao has done in revealing to ns the inferiority of the qualifications of the C uncillor of tho Earnsclcugh Hiding, thereby making these of ours more inferior by returning such a man as described by Mr D Mao to represent us. Is it not really kind of Mr Maekellar in pointing out to us our weak ness. We owe to him a debt of gratitude for the delicate manner he adopted in doing so. I must allow we were not all born to be schoolmasters* or to bring our name conspicuous before the “public” by a fluent oration. But I would have Mr I). Mac to un eistand that none of your doubledealing shuffling canards for the E-irns'-clengh ratepayers. Intelligence, combined with common s«nse and straightforwardness, are the qualifications wanted in their representative, and these Mr Maeginnis are possessed of. Abilities devoid of principle are the means of making a man’s had qualities worse. Something is expected where they are; prog less is looked for; but we are often doomed to disappointment, and then it is tho ocher way—deterioration. A good many of you remember how Mr D. Maekellar adhered to his promi-es to the digging community of this Province, when Under Secretary for the Otago GoldFields ; but that time is gone, and the present is the thing. Maik vou ; and another mark you. The comprehensions of the Southern inhabitants of this County are not altogether so obscured but they can see through Mr D. Mac's allusions as to the plan of the Firewood Creek being sent to him in Dunedin for uhe facility of a thorough investigation by him. All persons are endowed more or less with that incomparable quality -self-estimation— and if Mr D. Mac’s overhauling of this plan was of such importance, Mr Jolly was justified in sending it to him. But lam of opinion sufficient Councillors remained to criticise this plan in the absence of Councillor Mackellar, and if he (Maekellar) wished to exhibit his superior knowledge, he would have an op; ortunity at an ordinary meeting of the Council. Mr D. Mac says it was the proper course to pursue in sending him tho plan to Dunedin (and it was the one carried out by Mr Pyka and the Engineer. Yes, if Councillor Maekellar was Chairman, it may be feasible enough to send him plans as a matter of courtesy. If plans are sent about the country after Councillors, it is time to revert to some other system, and the man who has the presumption and impertinence to tell us it is the proper course should be suspended to make mom for one endowed with common sense. Nothing hut a distinct knowledge as to the eupenorityof his abilities over those of the other Councillors and Engineer, could lead Mr Maekellar to imagine that it was the proper course in sending this plan wandering all over the Colony. Ought not we he thankful there is one smart mao among the Vincent County Council! is, hut it is my impression Mr Maekdllnr will find Mvit the Southern members are just as capable to lead as the Norlhern ones. A few words more and I am done. Jt is mv intention no, to hold anyfunber o ulroversy on this mutter. 1 should not intervene between Crs. Mai ke larand MacJnuis, were it no’ that 1 felt indignant't the wanton insult cast by Mr Maekellar on the Earnsolengh ratepayers. It was always my ambition to see the Chairmansnip settled amicably "nd harmoniously ; not caring as to whether it was a Southerner or Northerner who oo -npied it, as long ns it was beneficial to the County ratepayers, and it is my fervent desire that it should he so. As to Mr Jolly. No necessity for him to become the “detective.” IE he only did his duty, I am sure it would he a preventive to this embezzlement by late Couuty Clerk. —I am, &c , Ratepayer. Eamscleugh Riding, July 3rd, 18S3.