SLANDER REFUTED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 256, 20 December 1880, Page 2

SLANDER REFUTED.

To thi. Editor op the "Evening Mail."

Sir, — It would rpquire an enormous amount of charity to bring our minds to the assurance that the writer in the Limited Liability Review was actuated only by a love of honesty, truth, and fair-play in bis attack on New Zoaland. However, as on that point he may be the only person fully informed, his statements must be taken as genuine and dealt with accordingly. His opening sentence (as quoted in the Mail of tbe 16th inst.) iis simply'wild assertion and utterly valueless, since to make it otherwise it would have been necessary to make a careful and comparative estimate of the various assets, whicb he has evidently not done, and has troubled himself to notice the liabilities only. His assumption tbat we intend continually to pay interest out of loans is insolently false, since so determined bas tbe present Government shown itself to meet current expenditure out of current income, that the land is no longer to be regarded as a source of revenue, but is henceforth to be treated as capitai. to be expended in reproductive works. A very moderate amount of intelligence might have sbown this critic that a candid exposure of our actual condition was tbe surest indication of our firm and unflinching determination as honorable men to meet our difficulties and to vanquish them. The next malter to be noticed is altogether too funny for serious argument. The writer assumes (apparently, for he is not very lucid) that our position is rendered worse by our having railways, docks, harbors, &c , to show for part of the borrowed money. This might have been passed over, but that it may be of some use as a hint of the value and profundity of his other deductions. If this scribe is an average specimen of the trusted advisers of the London stock exchange, it is no wonder that there has been so uiuch loss and suffering through Turkish and other equally valuable bonds. As valuable medicines are sometimes derived from noxious weeds, so this truculent article contains a few words which it would be highly to our advantage to remember. They are, " If tbe administration of New Zealand finance is conducted in the same reckless fashion aB heretofore it cannot be doubtful that sooner or later default will take place when the bonds will fall to a very low price." Well, the state of things to wbich this might be in some measure applicable, has, we bope and believe, passed away, and let us beware of its ever returning.—! am, &c,

R. Freeman.

To the Editor of the " Evening Mail."

Sir,— -Would you kindly insert in your paper a correction of a slight error in this morning's Colonist in the proceedings of the Council respecting the extension of the sea wa'l at tho Port. In reading the report any one at a glance would take it that I had made misrepresentations, first stating that there were 3000 yards of stone in excess of the contract, wbich must be absurd as the Surveyor's estimate was 700 yards, and should the worlc be required to be extended beyond the 15 chains an additional 300 yards was to be supplied by the contractor at same price, but instead of extending the work tbe stone has been utilised and no extension undertaken. Had it been used for other purposes, the Council is held liable to the contractor for nob fulfilling its agreement, and snowing most clearly our Surveyor is not competeut for tbe position he holds when work is passed contrary to the specifications drawn out by himself, besides having to pay for an extra overseer to see that the work should be carried out to the letter. I was very sorry to think that when the question of payment came before the Council I was not present, or you would have had my name recorded against such a piece of work which is a disgrace to the Council as a body in allowing our officers

to treat the fratepayers with stich an amount of contempt, because' at the present his strength is at the Port. , The Surveyor, in answer to Cr Levien, stated in reference to the quantity of stone that I was incorrect. I asked the Town Clerk to furnisb me with the specification for stone, and proved to the Council that the Surveyor's hand writing could not Speak falsehoods, I certainly object to the Surveyor sitting at the Council Chamber. He is paramount tb a Councillor. His place, if required, Should be at band, behind the bar or in his cffice, in case any (jtiestion arises and ho is required to explain and hold himself in readiness, but I most certainly object to finy officer takiag a Councillor's position. In reference to Cr Levien saying tbat I imputed that some of the Councillors had given an idea to the Surveyor that by placing subri itn estimate of the cost ;before the Council to mislead the " unwary " it would be carried out, I am of the same opinion still. Not having my own opinions carried, yet I feel proud to bave one of my greatest enemies in the Council ask to bave that ugiy structure removed, meaning the boulder stones, and replaced by tbe stone as specified in the specification,- and that an estimate of tbe same has to be submitted to us at odr next Ccuncil meeting.

lam,&c, Thos. Harley.

To the EiJiloß of lns " Evening Mail."

Srn,~l ara pleased to observe that the r_:.v'." Verßare taking more interest in Municipal matters than has nuuCrto been the ciise. They hare had occasion more than Olice to regret when too late their choice of representatives iu the City Council, and this would be to. a g^ertt efctent prevented in future by their insisting upon all Candidates publicly addressing the ratepayers previous to the day of election, for tbe purpose of stating their oh tnunicipal affairs and giving such explanatiobi. ifl answer to questions ns may be required. If the ratepayers would insist upon the above as a general rule and make it a condition on which their votes would depend, the Council would soon becomo in reality a representative body which it is very far from being at present.— I em &c,

Ratepayer.

The local paper says that some Akaroa bees have appropriated to themselves a novel habitation. It appears that they descended a chimney of Mr E. Boura'nd's house, and finding no more suitable refuge, established themselves under a table in the room. In this peculiar locality they have already constructed two large sheets of comb, and bid fair, if unmolested, to fill thc space between the top of the table and the floor. A recent parade of Knights Templar in Chicago whs attended by 20,000 members of the body.