THE RETORT COURTEOUS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2085, 7 May 1883, Page 2

THE RETORT COURTEOUS.

[to the editor.] Sir —By a late issue of your very useful little journal I notice a most just retort to a most contemptuous individual, who were it not for his social status would long since have been made to pay smartly for insulting inuendoes and gross libels—otherwise, falsehoods and slanders perpetrated by him—l mean the correspondent of the Hokitika Guardian—sometimes upon those who were defenceless, and sometimes upon those who treat his scurrilous language with contempt. But sir, there must be a limit to everything, even forbearance; therefore I would suggest to the subscribers to the Guardian to cease laughing at the abuse of their neighbours, and exercise a certain principle which even they must respect that is to speak of a man as you find him, and not by their indifference aid and abet a liar and slanderer. Were those whom he has abased to retaliate in what he would be constrained to call “in kind ” I fancy he would be only too proud to have stirred up indignation to such an extent, which appears to be the height of his ambition. Again, should the Editor of the Guardian wish to have the respect, esteem and support of this district he should study his own interest by nob making his columns the vent for the personal spleen of a political tinker.—l am, &c., Cato the Censor. Kumara, May 7th, 1883.