FARMERS’ UNION CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 969, 15 August 1903, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION CLUB.

[To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

Sir,—Since Mr Clayton’s advent into town as a full-blown ‘■‘ Land and Commission Agent,” he is evidently suffering from what is known (to use a vulgar expression)' as ‘‘chronic swelled head,” when, in his exordium published in your issue ol the 7th inst., he uses the Latin phrase “ cacoethes scribendi,” and it, one grand flourish of the pen, he triumphantly translates it into '* an itch for scribbling.’'’ The cowboy on the station, whose knowledge of Latin is admitted to be limited, handed me what he considers the correct translation of “ cacoethes scribendi,” and for Mr Clayton’s edification and future guidance I will repeat it, ‘‘a mania for scrifbjbling.” I am not conceited enough to arrogate to jmyself the, position of “ champion ” for Mr I-larding, being cognisant that he is well able to take care of himself. Neither am I ungentlemanly, enough to attempt to coerce Mr Clayton into discussing his (Mr Harding’s) private affairs in your columns. He says that my recollection of thr proceedings of the Provisional Committee “ are so /inaccurate,” etc. I am afraid they, are a little too accurate for Mr Clayton’s personal comfort. Now, Sir, will Mr C’ayton deny, that the report submitted by, the Provisional Committee to the Provincial Executive was net the report of three individual members of the Committee (including himself) who had carried out all the initial work pertaining to the fnmation of the Club. I have the authority, of one of those gentlemen to say ‘‘that had a three years’ lease been stipulated it would have been agreed to.” The injustice done to Mr Harding is not what Mr Clayton would like your readers; to bjelieve, i.e., ,M ' The attempt to remove the Club-rooms’ o hue the fact of that gentleman being ignored in the proposed .change of rooms, and Mr Clayton introducing) personal motives. Possibly I may have exagjgerated the time that Mr Clayton had been corresponding privately with Mr Dunlop. I will willingly call back the word ‘‘months and substitute “ time ” in its place. 'My informant was Mr Clayton himself, who also offered to show me a letter he had received on tlio HUlttCMr Clayton takes advantage of ad-vc-rtising the fact that the members oi the proposed new Club number actually more than the total mem- , bership of the Farmers’ Union Cluib. He carefully omits to inform you that by far the major number are townspeople, who rank as honorary , members. They so enjoy all the p. ivileges of ordinary members, hut, will have no vote. The members of the Farmers’ Union Club . are all the Farmers’ Union. I am afraid (hat Mr Clayton cannot say the same for the Club he is so strenuously endeavoring to' form. Yet ne has the impudence to call it ■ inc Farmers’ Club.” My humble opinion is that it should bo called • ■ The Lissant Clayton Club, m everlasting memory of the one who has been the sole cause of all tins friction. My reasons for tgnorine} the concluding portion of his leirei are no doubt obvious to you, and l propose to treat his remarks in the contemptible manner they deserve. In conclusion, may I also be allowed to express the hope Inat Mr Ciayton will explain to me through your columns the reason why the Provincial Executive meeting place was so suddenly changed from the Masonic I-lolcl across the road to the Coronation Hotel, without the authority of the Provincial Executive ?■ Should lie think fit not to give the true facts, I may then he in a better position to prove who is the responsible person for introducing personal motives. Hoping, Sir, that you will give this space, and also that those who read it will believe that the writer has absolutely, no motive whatever, other than having at heart the welfare of the Farmers’ Club and the Union.—l am, etc., HILTON N. LYSNAR. Parikanapa, August 11th, 1903.

An ex-policeman named Beatrix, living at Arles, France, was obliged to go away I from home for a few days. He anticipated that the house might be visited by burglars in his absence, and therefore fixed a loaded revolver in the passage, and .connected it by means of a string with the door in such a way that when the door was opened the revolver would be discharged. When ho returned home he had apparently forgotten his own precautions, and opened the door as usual. The weapon was discharged, and he was shot dead, the bullet going through his heart.