TEAKS AND DEWDROPS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 298, 13 November 1874, Page 3

TEAKS AND DEWDROPS.

We have to thank the Editor of the * Guardian ' for courteously forwarding to us the following correspondence sent anonymously to his office, but of course not published. Accustomed to a continual ;»sbund of monotonous though not-6riginiil abuse from those whose toes- we have, in the interests of the district, sometimes to tread heavily upon, yet there is something so racy, ingenious, and original withal, in the accusation of "peculency arid lies " that we are unwill'ng to keep it to ourselves. If there has been no cruelty <r inhumanity in enticing up country some 50 unfortunate women and children, to expose them unprotected to the rigors of a Siberian climate, we have been mistaken; no doubt, now the matter has been lpade public, the defenders of the Government and of " Principal Contractor " will avail themselves of the.opportunity our columns offer to vindicate the aspersed ones. ■ iere are the letters: (To the Editor of the Dunedin f G-uardian.') Dunedin. Ist Nov., 1874. Sir, —I would have you to be a little more perticulor about the truths of yon remarks you made in your paper reguarding the women and children that wear sent to the Head Race.

Also before you copy for publication from such papers as the Mount Ida Cranical—or ehe, I may find ways and means to recampence you for your unworthy labors.—l am, sir, truly ' PfiINCIPAL CoNTBACTOB. Dunedin, 3rd Novr, 1874, Sib, —Its very seldom I see your paper in to days issue I see you have had again to copy from your friend the Mount Ida Chroniacle some of its peculency and lies. It would appear that boath you and your relation de la smigues are' quite ignorant of what you are writing about—but when ignorance is blessed tis &c>&c. no doubt it was a very inhuman act on the part of some one to send women and children to the Headrace without a proper arrangement and so far up country and without a fly to their tents in a country ev«m 2000 above sea level where I supose tents are unknown. of course as you wisely remark had they been eathir trout or salmon they would have been provided wiah dry sheds yea even a Pike would not have beenisent until some comfortable room with a carpet bad been prepared, for it and at the public expence. I am sorrey to see one of our would be leading papers having to copy from sucli rags in the manner as is done if the Chronicale in ignorance or in spite is pleased to. vomit forth fire and brimstone on the head of an unoffending individual I see no reason why yon should follow sute but should you wish to know the truth the wholl truth and nothing but the truth send for me and I shall be most happy to give you all perticulors when ever you wish.—l am truly . PRINCIPAL CoNTBACTOB.

Since the above were written we have received the following from Mr. Kirkwood, Mr. Abbott's overseer, which we have much pleasure in inserting. Mr. Kirkwood throws the responsibility of caring for the immigrants on the Government, while, however, he admits there was an agreement of some kind with Mr. Abbott. The exact terms . of that agreement would beirteresting:(To the Editor of tlte- Moxtjut Ida Cheonk!Lß.) Elaekstone Hill, .Nov. 9,1874. Dear Sin, — \ do hope you shall insert in your paper the following, truths concerning the mistakes published in your paper dated November 7tk. I beg to mention that the immigrants who was sent up by the Grov'ernmenl at first was sent up in other understanding but to work piece work and if I choose., after seeing them at work, if they suit d and could work a day's work with the other men then by all means Twoiild employed them by the day. I. beg also to state that our nice is not made to carry sixty heads of water but forty heads. I also beg to s;ate and can prove that the prices given to piece workmen on this race is a fair price per chain, and"l also beg to sia'e that, there is piece workmen ni.-<king £4 per week on this work. However can we expect men perhaps that, never used a pick or shovel in their lives to make the'samiT wages. I also beg, to mention that your informant about the new chums hhouid ku"\v all truths before'gettingyou to insert untruths in your paper. I be,;

to slate in regard to tie 'immigrants Being: charged for bringing up- their luggage- I" say is false. Although I paid for bringing up their luggage to the works yet Mr: Abbott was the looser and hot the men for the men never was charged one shilling. As you say it cost one man one pound I say it is false and I can prove it. I also beg that you before printing in your paper such falsehoods that you inquire for truths, as I do assure you the immigrants has been treated most kind. Hoping you will insert these few lines in your column. D. Kiekwood.