"THE SILLY REJOICINGS OF PORT CHALMERS."

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2305, 26 September 1870, Page 2

"THE SILLY REJOICINGS OF PORT CHALMERS."

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, —lt is, in my opinion, in the highest degree humiliating to see such an article as that in this morning’s Daily Times, emanate from a newspaper which arrogates to itself the position of the leading journal of the Province. The writer lacks either the ability or the will to discriminate between the rejoicings of a community at the completion of a great work, and its appreciation of the laudable efforts of a member of Parliament in inaugurating the same. Assuming the first alternative to be the case, his mental condition is to be deplored, and ought to be inquired into; if, on the other band, he lacks the will, then is his conduct culpable and reprehensible in the extreme. The people of Port Chalmers—and I believe of Dunedin likewise—were well aware, without the gratuitous and impertinent remarks of the Daihj Times, that it is by no means un fail accompli that Port Chalmers shall be the terminus of the San Francisco mail line; but they also know that for the probability that it will become so they are mainly indebted to Mr Macandrew. It is on this account, sir, and for other eminent services rendered by his Honor, that I, and many with me, consider that we have by no means overstepped the bounds of propriety by recording our appreciation of his conduct in the way in which we have—the sneers and vituperations of our would-be local “Thunderer” notwith* stand mg. To put it in few words, and in a logical form, the argument of the Daily Times's leading article amounts to this : Ultimate succ ss alone deserves recognition, earnest endeavor and zealous effort in a good cause being entirely unworthy of acknowledgment. Macandrew’s efforts have not yet been crowned with success (i.c., the first Han Franci-co mail steamer has not yet arrived at Port Chalmers); ergo, his services deserve no recognition Q. ED. !! In conclusion, I would express a hope that the Dunedin Committee will profit by the ra'hcr broad hint given them in the “ leading journal,” that should they, on any similar occasion, wish to secure a favorable critique, they must not neglect to “ send a ticket to oar office.” I am, &c., J. D. Port Chalmers, Sept. 24, 1870.