COASTAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 428, 29 May 1902, Page 3

COASTAL CORRESPONDENCE.

REPLY TO ANTI-SQUATTER.

'(To the Editor of the Times). Sir, —I heed not dwell at length in reply to the above. I am now reputably acquainted with the name of that posing Lord Chesterfield critic, but, not being a metaphysician, I had previously given him duo credit for being a sano and intelligent being. Evidently, I was wrong. Perhaps the “ oblong instrument ” to which he refers may at no distant date servo to be the memorabilia whioh may singularly assist in the erection of an edifice for such outlandish lunatics. Couched in his “ barm.y ” aliases

“ Squatter ” and “ Anti-Squatter ” —this leading-light individual is evidently intent on creating friction among legitimate station ownors (not 2000 sheep men), whose culturo and integrity wa unerringly commend, and the honorable workingmen by whom he is indirectly servod, but capriciously alludes to. Of course, his alias is excusable, as it is now full-moon, and he being virtually a young man, I sincerely trust his mental affliction, accelerated by “ those letters,” will not seriously necessitate medical attention.— I am, etc., Correspondent. “ THEM LETTERS.’ (To the Editor of the Times). Sir, —“ Anti-Squatter ” hit the nail fairly on the head when ho says that the signs on a Chinese josshouso aro easier to understand than “ Correspondent’s ” letters. The latter have played old harry with our camp, keeping the boys awake so long at night that they are unfitted for their graft next day. Still the letters havo had a good effect. They have brought Tolago Bay to the front, and given us chaps some little diversion. We admire tho writer for the way ho has given some of the Coasters a turn, and his remarks on the keeping of the Sabbath have dono a,vay with the indulgence of all games on the Sunday. The letters have also caused tbo local storekeepers to clear their stocks of dictionaries, and perhaps it was for this purpose that the letters were written.—l am, etc., J.N. THE WAIPIRO LIBRARY. VTo the Editor of the Times.)

Sir,—Ploaso allow mo space in your valuable columns to refer to tho question of above library. Our township is to bo complimented on tho fine stock of books it possesses, but tho difficulty subscribers experience in securing a book is too great. Unless you happen to strike tho particular one hour during tho day when the girl is at tho library, you have to travel a considerable distance through Maori whares and unpleasant surroundings in search of tho custodian. Surely the Committee might arrange some better system, and have the library where one can get a book at any hour during the afternoon or even’ ing. I trust that this suggestion will lead to a bettor state of things being brought about.—l am, etc., Reader.

MAORI LABOR. .(To the Editor of the Times), Sir, — There is one matter that I should like to vontilato through tho medium of your columns, and that is the employment of native labor on the coast. The natives are driving the white inen fiom oul* villages, and unless some iuipiovo* rnont is brought about a European will bo unable to get a job on the coast. Road contracts, bush-felling jobs and such like are taken by the Maoris at half the price that a white man with a family to keep can afford to work for. I hope someone more able to deal with this question will take it up. —I am, otc., Worker.

CORONATION HONORS. (To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —Your correspondent “H’s” letter with regard to tho Coronation Honors, and the probable knighting of Captaiu Russell is truly characteristic of the party to which “H" belongs. A blind follower of tho so called great Liberal party, ho can see no good in any politician who does not support that side. He wishes to know what Captain Russell has done to earn a knighthood, aud in answer to that question I should advise him to read the pages of Hansard. He will find there that through a loug political career Captain Russell has been an ardent supporter of every measure in any way calculated to promote the prosperity of this colony. A thorough gentleman in debate, he has always shown consideration and respect to his political opponents, and has always had the courago of his conv.ctious, which me cannot say for many members of the Oovercment party. What if he did vote .igainsl such measures as the Loans to Settlers’ Act, and' the Compulsory Ac-

rjuisitic a of Land ? These ore termed by H ” to be p.ogressive measures, but we have y-ot to be couvinoed of their justice. The Loans to Settlers’ Act has an element

of good in it, in that it has reduced the rate of interest, but on tho other hand it has this bad featuro —it has increased the number of State employees, and given us inspectors and clerks without number, all of whom are nothing inoro or less than Government tout 3. Captain Russell has on every occasion strenuously opposed the extreme socialistic measures of the Government, and prevented the passing into law of many Bills which would have brought this colony into ridicule. It is true that Captain Russell lacks tho blandishments, bluster, and egotism of Mr Seddon, or “ The promiso all and fulfill nono” qualities of Mr Carroll, but ho has nevertheless given better service to tho country than either of the above gentlemen, and in the allotment of Coronation Honors is justly entitled to Knighthood.—l am, etc., Observer.