CORRESPONDENCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 23, 9 June 1860, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Press. Silt—l casually, for the first time since the formation of our Provincial Council, stepped into the Council Chamber to hear the discussion on Mr. Seymour’s motion, viz., “ That the Council considers Picton as the most eligible site for the public buildings, and that this council request the Superintendent, to erect the same forthwith upon the site reserved for the purpose in the above mentioned town, and to erect a gaol upon such site in the town as the Superintendent and principal Engineer of the said province shall consider most advisable.” I was very much gratified to hear so animated a debate on the question, and tbe arguments on both sides so well sustained. Our newly fledged brood of legislators, although a little erratic and digressive at times, upon the Avhole acquitted themselves creditably and gave promise of future usefulness and efficiency as they gain experience. It was agreed by all the speakers, that the question under discussion was one of the most vital importance to the community; yet lam informed the notice of motion was only given yesterday, and I Avas surprised beyond measure, to find that Mr. Dodson’s amendment for- a postponement of the debate till the 27th instant, was annulled. If of such importance, why such hot haste in coming to a decision. I went into the house quite ignorant of the merits ol the case, but the lucid reasons adduced by the nrinority against the motion rather Avon me to their side, and I left the house confirmed in the opinion that the supporters of the motion considered their cause a had one, other-: w r ise Avliy should they refuse so just and constitutional a request as time for mature consideration. ■ . According to Parliamentary usage the public arc alloAvecl time to animadvert, through the press, on .all important measures about to be brought before the house, and the voice of the people has often a powerful tendency in influencing the decision. Do the. Superintendent and his supporters set themselves above public opinion, or do they imagine, that in the plenitude of their strength they arc in no way amenable to the power Avliich placed them in authority.. They entered office under the fairest auspices, and Avith the full confidence of the public. Lot them beAvare not to abuse that confidence, nor to suppose there is not intelligence enough in the mass of the people to scrutinize their actions. I am, &c., Eusticcs. Blenheim, June 7, ISGO. To the Editor of the Marlborough Press. Sir —We read in “ Twelfth Night ” of some bedjof Avonderful capacity, which Avonld hold some score of sleepers or more, and has, since that time been known as the “ Bed of Ware.” The said bed is still to be found at the Saracen’s Head, Ware, Herefordshire.•' • Now, cogitating over matters the other night, a thought struck me that if the grim Saracen Avould part with his bed I Avould recommend our liberal councillors to make arrangements for chartering the Great Eastern forthwith for importing it to this province, since now in their. Avisdom they have decreed that The Superintendent, • The Commissioner of CroAvn Lands, The Provincial Solicitor, The Provincial Secretary, The FiA r e Members of the Road Board, The Four Members .of the Executive Council, The Nine Members of the Educational Board, and several others, shall all sleep in one bed, “ A nest of happy felloAvs to my eye, Like four and tAvcnty blackbirds in a pie.” But lipid, I will not remove the cover, lest these happy birds may perchance sing; and to say truth, their song, for I once heard it, is neither very varied nor musical. ! The following will suffice : “We have got two thousand a year and you knoAv it, We luiA'c got tAvo thousand a year and deserve it. But to return to the bed. Let the posts and other fixings be Avell looked to, for on.pay days the above nest of happy songsters take their cash to bed Avith them, and from the enormous salaries our Provincial Council has A r oted them, I fear our finances Avill shortly be ’ like ■ the Apostle’s, Avhcn he exclaimed, “ Silver and gold have I pone.” These salaries will then have to be paid in bronze halfpennies of the ncAV coinage, and it will take a ton or two (an additional freight for the Eastern). Then avc must take into account the extraordinary amount of brass there must bo in the composition of these said songsters to enable them, in these modern days of modesty and decency, to sleep in. such numbers under one blanket. The frame work should at least he coppered and copj>er fastened. Now don’t you think, Mr. Editor, that the importation of this bed Avould he a good spec. I lcol certain it would. I am; &c., Jack.