TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4543, 12 October 1875, Page 2

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received a letter from hlr. J. G. S. Grant, Dunedin, headed “ The Banquet," but which refers to things in general. We do not think that its insertion would effect Mr. Grant’s professed object, namely, that of “ driving all the incarnate devils out of Pandemonium," in other words, out of New Zealand. There is a great deal of truth in Mr. Grant’s letter, but he is so hard a hitter and so good a hater that one is compelled often to reject what is excellent in his writings on account of their personal antipathies. Mr. Grant stat es that at a meeting of unemployed in the Temperance Hall, Dunedin, held on the 6th instant, about one thousand being present, he read his letter to the Midland County Operatives of England, when he covered his detractors with shame, as ** every man in the hall bore testimony to its truth in every particular iota.” We suspect the number present is greatly overestimated, as the hall in question cannot seat one thousand, nor anything like it. Moreover, we think there must be some huge mistake somewhere, as we heard nothing of want of employment or distress in Otago till we read the notice of this meeting in Dunedin telegrams. In conclusion, Mr. Grant anticipates a large reduction in the number of officials as a consequence of provincial abolition, A glance at the printed estimates should convince him that he cherishes a vain hope. . , . a . Dr. Harris, late Surgeon-Supenntendenfc of the ship Rodney, writes from Port Chalmers, enclosing copy of a letter addressed by him to the Evening Post, in reply to certain matters which appeared in that , journal. As the publications referred to did not appear in our paper, we cannot print Dr. Harris’s letter. Doubtless the paper to which it is addressed will do so in fairness to Captain Louttit and Dr. Harris, both of whom were unfairly dealt with.