CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 196, 14 October 1864, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

1o the Editor of the Hawke’s Say Times. Cock-a-doodle-doo! "What's the matter with you, Mr. Q? Sir, —In this style, and in this style only, can I take notice of that distinguished local writer, who pours forth his weakly inspirations through the circulating medium of that most respectable of journals, the Hawke's Hay Herald. It is hardly fair to presume that because a “ party” who can by no possible means throw light upon passing events, or even suggest anything new or entertaining, either for the action of the Government or the amusement of the people—it is hardly fair, I say, under these circumstances, to say that that party is making a fool of himself; but really it is but a very rational inference, whether it be a fair one or not. Now you see, Mr. Hawke's Hay Times, that I object to Q —strongly object to Q—and I do so upon more grounds than one, or I shouldn’t now notice him.

First—l object to Q. because his ridiculous writing will lead the stranger to think that those writings are read, and that by consequence, the people of Hawke’s Bay are no better than Q, and are, upon the whole, rapidly'tending downwards !o a state of drivelling idiocy, or, to use some of that eminent writer’s own choice Latin, the whole Province is lion compos mentis, if you know what that is.

Secondly—l object to Q, because he is producing a most demoralizing effect upon the minds of weak people by perpetually letting of the fag end of a piece of most questionable classical lore. I find, for instance, in one of his voluminous letters these rein arkablo words, as having reference to the probable consequences to a certain gentleman ox note against wiioni is cuni'inually writing, if that gentleman persists in opposing the Government, —“ If you still persist” says Q “ in your opposition, &c., &c., you had better mens tuns ego ! !” (mind your eye,) implying that if ho, Q, ever falls in witli him, C., he will most likely punch ’is ’ead. Third —I object to Q. because, as I entertain a personal regard for Donald M’Lean, I do not like to see that gentleman and his doings bolstered {up by such a regular downright penny a line sort of a cove as Q. It is a bad sign. You see old Jemmy W. is so infernally cautious that although he admits Q’b writings, and probably pays him at per line for them, still it is evident, from the fact of those panegyrics of the Provincial Government so frequently indulged in by Q not being admitted as leaders, that the said the said Jemmy has considerable doubts about how for tho folks will swallow that kind of doctrine. So that Q,’s miserable toadyism recoils on liis own, J, W.’s, and the Pro vincial Government’s heads, that is, under the supposition that they have all got heads, which at this date I rather doubt, not having yet discovered

any indication of that useful article among them, except by a propensity for imbibing. Upon the whole, then, what with the preposterously overbearing egotism, and the exceedingly silly attacks made upon you and Mr. Colenso, backed up by the preposterous and fulsome flattery of the Provincial authorities, this Q, is going a cause which it is evident enough he is extremely anxious to serve, a great deal more harm than good. He is the paid hireling of the squatters, and as such and in such a cause, can but cover them with ridicule and contempt. Q’s writings do some good, I do not doubt, they keep the preposterous doings of the present Provincial Government far more prominently before the Public eye than any amount of censure or hostile criticism would do, and have indirectly the effect of making that Provincial Government more than ever contemptible. And now my conclusion I’ll tell, In faith I’m confoundedly dry ; The chid that’s a fool for himsd’, Gude Lord, is far dafter than I. Yours, &0., QUIETUS. Napier, 12th October, 1864.