ORIGINAL CORRESPONDEECN.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 618, 17 March 1852, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDEECN.

To the Editor of the New-Zeaianber. Councillor Punch piesents his compliments to the Editor of the JVew Zecdancler, and begs to forward to him an abstract of a speech which he (Councillor Punch) intends to deliver in the UnCommon Council of Auckland, on the Ist of April next, when the imitation from the Independent Older of Odd Fellows, M. U., to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Council, to celebrate the laying of a foundation stone for their projected Hall, will be taken into consideration. The interpolation of loud laughter' and 'much cheeiing' Punch leaves to the Editor's discretion.

Councillor Punch then rose and said — that he had a great respect for Odd Fellows. He would have no objection, nominally, to belong to that Order. But a great principle was here involved, lie would remind the Council how hard they had tried to do nothing — as a Corporation. Individually, as sticks, they might lick the Government into bhapc, but collectively, as a bundle, they would bo oi no use. 110 would soonei' cut his stick altogether. Let them look back on their hitherto noble career. They had successfully withstood every temptation, and equally avoided Scylla ami Charybdis. The smiles and strains of Vice-regal Sirens had not seduced them. The glittering insignia of office had not dazzled them,

for they had sternly lefuscd to purchase a Seal, although they had often seen several sixpenny copper ones/with appropriate devices, sewed on cards and exposed for sale in the commercial establishments of many of their Hebrew, constituents. Yes, he thanked Heaven, they had not yet sealed their destiny. They would make an impression— but not on wax. This proposed procession and ceremony would be fatal to their interests. The expense would be great. State robes, men in armour, trumpets and Jews' harps, would have to be provided. But, above all, directly they thus paraded themselves, they would instanter become nolentes volentes a Corporation. Fadlis descensits Averni. Retreat afterwards would be impossible. The chains of office would be riveted, and the [foundation of ruin laid. Moreover, after the ceremony, probably, a dinner would have to be eaten. That undoubtedly would be a Corporate act. It had often of itself, to his knowledge, created a Corporation. The city of London was a prominent instance. Festivity of that kind would materially affect the position of their Body. The exercise of their jaws should bo confined to that table at which His Worship then presided. He called upon them, by those chartered rights which from Alfred to Victoria (vide Blackstone and the Statutes t at large) had^been acquired by then* ancestors, to stick to their birthright. Patriotism and no Potnge ! ! What did they want with potage? their affairs were already a mess enough for any one to dispose of. As an Un-Couimon Councillor, his tongue was always a: their service, but, when they were asked, as a Corporation, to processions and dinners, he would not suffer his legs and teeth to compromise a grand principle.