MOUNT BENGER.

Evening Star, Issue 3109, 5 February 1873, Page 3

MOUNT BENGER.

(from our own correspondent.)

At last I have something to write about, and am rewarded for my patient waiting. Fate has kindly given me something to abuse, and, wnat is still more remarkable, lam, for once, iu entiie harmony with the profannni vnff/nsof Mount Bengcr People in Dunedin need not be startled when 1 tell you we are in a state of excitement. They must not suppose that all the wicked deeds arc centralised there. Mount Benger shares its honors, and is in a state of ferment, because four supposed shanty-keepers are b ing pulled up for selling grog ou 'he sly. But Dunedi i must not suppose that Mount Benger has had a paid approver for discovery of this social sin. No lynx-eyed official detected this breach of the law. It was left to one whose zeal iu the cause of morality none can doubt. Some men do say hard things about him ; they call him an Asadean —an undeveloped gorilla; they point to his being in possession of three thousand pounds, and want ns to believe his object was to add enough o it to pay his passage Home, and took this crooked method of doi’ g it. Men will say these things, true or untrue. The matter is really svhjadire, but it will be settled before this reaches yon. that I shall commit no breach of etiquette in telling you the facts as they will appear in evidence. The informer is Jesse Mack ay, a Scotchman of the Scotch -a native of the extreme North. He has been fifteen years in the district, ami'is reputed to he of very saving and—some say — miserly habits. Me suppose from this he has been saving, and has grown rich, while others have been spending ami become poor, Report says lie realised L7OO out of Gabriel’s, and lias since been permanently on the Beaumont Station at a salary of L7O per annum. Finding himself worth, as we said, L 3,000, he naturally turns towards his native Caithness shire, and resolves to return thither : but in order to leave Otago purer than he found it, or with the aforesaid object, hj i has victimised his friends and neighbours of over years standing, by laying informations against them. The people are so indignant that threats, both loud and deep, are uttered, and it will he well if he escape condemnation at the bar of Judge Lynch, and being tai red and feathered - a performance which your correspondent would gladly join in, I almost expect to have to report a case of jystitiable homicide for the regalement of your readers in my next communication. At all events I shall attend in Court as your representative, and thereby give the inhabitants of this famous district an opportunity of beholding your correspondent in the flesh free, gratis, and for nothing. I had almost intended to make a charge for this inestimable privilege ; but I sacrifice the chance of profit on the shrine of duty. As regards the merits of the sly-grog-selling question. I beg to submit the following reasons why the interference with it is unpopular 1. It is felt the license fee is excessive, its diminution would increase the revenue, and suppress an injurious practise. 2. It degrades an honorable and upright body of men like the Otago Police, by associating them with the base treachery of informers. 3. Such shanties are really a great public convenience in many places where no hotel could be made to pay. 4. There is a natural abhorrence of treachery and traitor in the heart of every true-bred Englishman, Irishman, or Set, But lam exceeding all due limits, so my discourse on the above, firstly to fourthly, must keep cool- -a loss to your readers no doubt; but patience is a most inestimable vfrtuc.