OPEN COLUMN.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 4, 17 March 1864, Page 6

OPEN COLUMN.

We are desirous of affording Correspondents space for the legitimate discussion of all subjects of public importance ; but. at the same lime, we wish it to be understood that we dv not hold ou-selves responsible for opinion'! therein expressed.

To the Editor of tlio Oamabtt Times. Sik, — I am sure that every individual in Oamaru must feel indebted to you for the expose of the state and doings of the Town Board contained in your issue of the 3rd instant. Until you came amongst us, we knew nothing of the Board — of what it did, when it met, or how it conducted its business. But now that the curtain is lifted, we can have a satisfactory peep at the " happy family," and know what they are up to ; and it is to be hoped that, under your vigilance, wo shall have before long a Board in every way qualified to conduct the business of this rising town. You have certainly fulfilled the promises contained in your prospectus, and given to us a press free and untrammelled, and I hope it will long continue so. There is one thing, however, which I beg to bring under your notice. Now that the Town Board has expended a large sura of money on fencing in the Esplanade, it is to be hoped that they will complete their undertaking by expending a further sum in laying out and planting the grounds enclosed. This done, the public would realize the benefit of the present work, and the popularity of the Board would be strengthened. Apologising for trespassing so far on you, I remain, &c, Publicus. Oamaru, March 1, 1864.

To the Editor of tho Oamabu Times. Sic,— Ou perusing tho columns of your paper of the 3rd instant, I was much surprised at the uncoiuteous and calumnious manner in which you allude to the Town Board. As a member of that institution,

I deem it my duty to repudiate your false statements, which, if believed by the public, will tend to seriously damage the reputation of its members both individually and collectively. In the first place, you state that the contract for fencing the Esplanado was tendered for by one of the members of the Board and accepted by them, which libellous statement allow me to contradict. I, as the successful tenderer, beg to state that I was not elected a member of the Town Board for three weeks after I got the contract. Secondly, you unblushingly assert that the members of the Board sit at the table to amicably share the spoils of office with each other. Now, Mr Editor, since you have gone so far, and presumed to know so much of the character of the Board, why did you not manfully state that they were all public robbers and barefaced swindlers, desirous of betraying the confidence placed in them, and ravenously devour the public funds ? Had you been less sarcastic in your libellous article, and more charitable in your unfounded remarks, it would tend more to improve auy f (tilings on our part. Hoping the public have not been led away by your false statements, but will fondly nurture the sanguine expectation that every man will do his duty. — I remain, etc., John Thompson. Oamaru, March 9, 1864. [Oiu- statement respecting the contract for fencing in the Esplanade, was made on the authority of one of our most respected and best informed townsmen. We hare since examined the Town Board books and find that Sir. Thompson was not elected a member of the Town Board until some days after the acceptance of his tender had passed. — Ed. O. T.~\