To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, January 23rd, 1854.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 885, 25 January 1854, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, January 23rd, 1854.

Str, — T an quite aware you have little or no room for original correspondents, in consequence of your determination to report truly the proceedings in our Provincial Council, but, with permission, I should like to make a remark in connection with Mr. Bethune and the Thistle Bill. I see by the Independent of Saturday last he is there represented to be in a terrible gi'eat fluster with regard to the dtstruction and extermination of the thistle. Tbe hon. member said he did not rise to oppose tbe principle of the Bill, but he thought docks ought to to be included. The hon. gentleman's independence really surprises roe very much, and I'll tell you why. When I was in the country, Scotland, of which tbe thistle is a native, (of the Highlands of which the hon. gentleman is also a native) I have myself heard the natives of that country express themselves in very strong terms in respect to their disagreeable neiffhbour, tbe plant called the thistle, and even break out in very exifavagant language at tbe vile plant ; this, however, I must add was previous to the trousers being introduced into the country, and may very correctly account for the hon. member's io'drpendence. But what surprises me much more is his desire for the exrirmmation of the decks. May I ask the bon. gentleman if he forgets that up to the present time, in his country docks ai« used instead of paper and cloth, for the Reaves are qnite generally used by tbe old women for" carrying their butter to town safe, and I can't see the reason why they should not be used bere, as we are farther from the paper factories. As to his satirical remarks on Mr. WakefHd's anectloie in regard to the " babies," I don't see that that gent, alluded to the hon. member, therefore he need not have noticed it. The bon. member's dislike of long speeches I can understand, and if he could understand Mr. Wakpfield's speeches he would not depreciate them but appreciate them, as other people do. The last portion of the hon. member's, (Mr. B.) memorable speech I also understand, viz., " though what he had said might not be much to the purpose, it was a fault in common with other speeches in that house." To verify this, see and hear the little learned legal member, who tries to stand like Peel ; — those two gentlemen ought always to give notice when they are to speak, that the public might have a chance te hear them and enjoy themselves : there would be no empty benches and plenty of loud laughter. I am your humble servant, SHAMROCK.