CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 79, 2 April 1880, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE VERDICT- -IS IT JUST ? To the Editor op the 'Evening Mail.' i Sir,— On various occasions of late years it has been the pleasure of persons resident in other centres of population in tbis colony to Fpeak of us in very derogatory, not to say insulting terms. We have been (old — in effect — tbat we are ignorant, stupid, and sluggish: the conclusion being ever that flattering epithet of " Sleepy Hollow." WeM, our indignation at this has been of a pronounced description — now however, what has been said of us by outsiders has heen practically endorsed by one of our own local bodies — the Central Board of Education. A Secretary was required, and amongst the local applicants none were considered to possess the v?ry moderate amount of qualifications necessary to the performance of the duties of this sixth rate position. It has therefore been deemed requisite to break in upon our darkness by the importation of a luminary — of an unascertained amount of candle power, from the city of Christchurch. When in the future as in the past left hnnded compliments are bestowed upon us by our competitors for railways and other public -works, how shall we reply to them ? Shall we again try to emulate the '< Fretful Porcupine," or shall we not raither take a lesson from Mr Uriah Heap, and become very " umble," for in proof of our painful deficiences can they not produce the certificate of our Central Board of Education ?— I am, &c, R. L. H.