TO THE EDITOR.

Kaikoura Star, 29 July 1898, Page 4

TO THE EDITOR.

The Satirical Lines at the Mutual.

Sir, —I was surprised and shocked to read in the columns of the last issue of the Star the effusion of our local solicitor. To say the least, it is not good verse, but that is excusable, as poets are not born every day. But why such matters should he entertained by a Mutual Improvement Society boasting for its membership clerics of all denominations puzzles me. Alas, where is Charity ? Not with one of the clerics of the Kaikoura Mutual Improvement Society, surely. j I would venture to make a suggesti ion. Our local solicitor rhymes that ! for the hard<up the Settlers’ Association is a boon. Now I would suggest that he joins the. Association immediately, as by he is a fitting member if hard-up is the point. He would be a brother in adversity for the invalid member of the Association he takes such pains to describe in bis verse, as his health has been none of the best lately—whether ’stomach’ or ‘ brain ’ troubles Fam unable to ‘ define,’ but it is generally believed to be some other part of the human anatomy. In conclusion, 1 would remark that no matter how good a man may be, tew can seldom do justice to two avocations, and as our local solicitor has turned satirical, why not have another solicitor in Kaikoura, who will devote his energies solely to law. Such a gentleman would be a great boon to Kaikoura, and supply a long felt want —so say hundreds of Kaikoura settlers. Then the embryo poet (?) could devote the major portion of his time to verse, and perhaps he might, I in time, become verse writer for lunatics. Wishing him paying employment in his new line. I am, etc.,

Vox Populi.

Sir, —Your sub-leader of Tuesday’s issue gives the impression that there was a collaboration io the compilation o# whinh von made the subject of adverse comment—particularly, that the Rev. Mr McAra was in some way connected with it. Permit me to say that no member of the Mutual Improvement Society or anyone else had anything to do with its construction in any shape or form ; and, that I alone am the builder of it lock, stock, and barrel. I am, etc., R. D. Mclver.

(Mr Mclver’s attitude is a rather remarkable one—of the adding insult to injury order. He shows no contrition tor the abuse of privilege contained in his outrageous conduct. There is no withdrawal of his insinuations ; simply a desire to exonerate bis clerical friend. Mr Mclver admits that he is the ‘ builder ’ (who was the architect ?) of the satirical jangle, read at the M. 1.5., in order to absolve his clerical ‘aider and abettor’ from complicity in the abuse and personality it contained. The member in question did not make any protest whatever against the introduction or reading of the contribution. On the contrary the Reverend member asked that it be reread, and—in order «hac the satire might be the better emphasised, and more fuHy impressed upon the minds of his fellow members—he asked that it be reread slowly ; and, further, urged tuat it the Star would not publish the jangle that it be sent elsewhere to be printed. He evidently enjoyed Mr Mclver’s effort to hold Messrs Renner and Gibson up to ridicule, and by that means displayed an ungenerous spirit and hostility to the two men named and to the Settlers’ Association, the members of which have not received any assistance in futherance of Land Settlement from either Mr Mclver or the Revd. Mr McAra. Contras; of tho attitude of the latter with that of another clerical member of the Society—to say nothing of the position adopted by lay members —presents the Revd. 1 accessory ’ in a most unenviable light. Ed. K.S.)