CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 188, 19 August 1864, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the JSditor of the Hawke's Say Times, Sik, —It is unfortunate in the interests of the present Provincial Government that it meets with no better literary support than that which appears weekly in the Herald, and which is represented by the letters of “Q” and the curious epistles of “ J anus.” These two writers are personally known to most of your readers, in spite of their assumed cognomens ; —the one is in the pay of the Government, or the Herald —which is the same thing, and otherwise a very questionable character ; and the other—“Janus”—is a poor used up old muff, who, failing in getting an honest living, now endeavors to remedy the defects of fortune by an assiduous toadyism of the Government. The fact is, that Mr. Colenso’s attention to his duties, his careful and assiduous studies of the different questions under discussion, and his extensive study of colonial politics, places that gentleman in a position to trip up and floor his numerous opponents with incredible celerity; and they, being dreadfully wrath at these continued exposures of their weakness and ignorance, resort to their usual mode of argument adopted by that sort of people, viz., abuse. From the Superintendent downwards almost all the members attack Colcnso, —not in argument, not by counter statement of facts and figures, not by the soundness of their reasoning, clearness of their views, and wisdom of their acts, —but by personal invective, and small wit. This, I contend, is but a very unsatisfactory way of “shutting up” an opponent. Major Lambert (Hajor of Militia) threatened Mr. Colenso with the penalties of the law if he dared to say anything against the J.P.’s. I think that the gallant Lambert would have shewn his respect for the order to which he belongs if he had held his peace. Before { the Bench will be entitled to claim the benefit of the Act referred to by the Major, they will have to get over certain little defects of habit in some of their members which at present render that body disgraceful and ridiculous, and to be a J.P. in this Province is a sign rather of the successful toadyism to the Government than the fitness of the person holding the office either to hold that officeor to claim the respect of his countrymen. Eloquent Joe of Chve says that Colenso wanted once upon a time to be placed upon the Bench. Very likely. In those days possibly Joe wasn’t on it, which materially alters the matter; and I question whether any one, having any great respect for himself, would seek to share with that party such a questionable honor. I am, sir, yours, QUIETUS.