THE OTAKI MINSTRELS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 95, 23 July 1880, Page 2

THE OTAKI MINSTRELS.

T0 THE EDITOR OF THE M\NAWATU HERAI.I* Sir, — In answer to a letter that appeared in your valuable paper of the 20th inst., signed " Nigger," criticising the performance of the Otaki Mimetrels, I think he could not have been a genuine nigger, but perhaps he thought we were a little " jSiggerish " in uot asking him to partake of a little drop out or James Hennessy, which, no doubt, would hare cleared hig optics, and have warmed his heart to be a little more liberal in his remarks towards amatoiirs doing their best, and having no thoughts of lucre. He makes use of the appelation '• parvenus fancying themselves adents in the histrionio art.'* As there were none of that description on the boards, they being no more nor less than respectable settlers, who, to while away the monotony of a winter's evening,did their best to amuse the settlers in general, and create sociality in their quint district. As to the remarks of the critique, which he no doubt considers the acme of Iris scurrilous remarks, allow mo to inform " nigger," if we rightly guess they came from a brain overburdened with Hennessy, which on that evening must have been, as is usual, in a state of semi-mental aberration. As regards the benefits reaped from the lucre collected, the reverse took place, as every colored gentleman belonging to that respectable company had to shell out from his own private pocket t« defray the expenses incurred, and to show " Nigger " how a discerning public appreciated, they kept up tho amusements for three consecutive nights, and wound np with general satisfaction and applause. 1 hope our Foxton brethren will meet with a cordial reception, and have a bumping house, and then retire to their quiet homes satisfied with the lucre they obtain re the division of the Bpoils, and not have to shell out of their private pockets to de« fray their expenses. Thanking yo u for your valuable space, I am, 4c, EX NIGGBR. Ofcaki, July 22, 1880.