CORRESPONDENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 23, 29 October 1901, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

To The. Editor

Sir : We are told? tha t‘ ‘ Great mi ads move slowly;’’ the truth of the aphorism in Mr Bate’s case, the time taken in preparing his reply being unconscionable. It maybe that the same author is responsible for “ The dog that howls is the dog that’s hit.” That his challenge should be accepted has evidently annoyed Mr Bate. Had he stipulated for the name of the writer before entering upon the discussion, it would have as readily been given then as now, but that he then preferred the condition which he now condemns, is apparent by his action; in replying, .without making complaint, until distressed, by discovering later, that there was justification for my comments. Smarting under a sense of disappointment and defeat, he realises that the general public (the arbiters in a newspaper discussion) have already given the case against him he then descends to personalities, to which level, if only in consideration of the disparity in our respective ages, I decline to follow him. As he positively declines accepting compliments paid him in sincerity especially that giving him kudos for displaying business like acumen, I may say that I must have been misinformed on this matter, and as the responsibility of the compliments rests with members of his own Board, and the residents of the locality in- which he resides, who are fortunate in being much more intimately acquainted with him and the attributes he is possessed of than I am. Therefore I withdraw the statement without reservation, and if it pleases him better, will say that he is not possessed of any business like acumen. The question then is: What are his qualifications for the several public positions he occupies ? He has extolled himself on his own account in your columns on his minor virtues, probably with the hope that the ratepayers will note and hesitate before they decide to dispense with such a valorous and, may I say, virtuous public man ? “So mote it be.” I can, in all sincerity, say that anything I have said or written concerning him has not been done with a,try ulterior motive, or desire to belittle him, and be knows it. Therefore bis so-called “ remarks” are misapplied. The “ stink pot,” a popular Chinese weapon, he denies having used, but it is evident that, armed with the primitive club and given the opportunity and a basket of eggs, he could d i great execution, and “ put things out of reach.” As I have no inclination to bandy words, and descend to the “ your another ” style o£ argument, Mr Bate can take three weeks in which to wrestle with his dictionary and have the last word.

I am etc

W. J. Moffatt.