"REFORM" IN REPLY.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 263, 20 October 1877, Page 2

"REFORM" IN REPLY.

{To the Editor of the Patea Mail.)

Sir,—l did not intend again troubling you, although I consider the subject of far more importance than the numerous letters that have appeared in your columns on certain subjects, the writers of which alone know (or pretend to) what is meant; but the remarks of your correspondent, “ Reformation,” on Wednesday last, almost compels me to say a few words in reply. It did not take long for my temperate remarks to stir up one of the hotheads of this town, and from “Reformation’s” letter, I should think he was a man of great pretended ability, and one who would try to make things very uncomfortable tor any community. He says my letter was the most whining, vain effusion he had seen in the columns of a newspaper. It puzzles me to see what he is driving at —for favours I covet not ; and vanity, in _ the- light which “ Reformation” means it, I scorn. It would not take long to sum up “ Reformation’s ” character as a letter writer. He is, in my' opinion, one, who, to gratify his feelings of personal spito, would make newspaper reading intolerable to a number of people, by inserting a lot of spiteful rubbish that concerned only himself. “ Reformation” ridicules the idea of the outside world taking notice of such effusions as I quoted in my last; but, for his information, I will here introduce a local that appeared in the Wanganui Chronicle of Monday last, which proves that ray were correct, as far as the Press of that town are concerned : “Much Needed.—A correspondent under the signature of ‘ Reform,’ in the Patea Mail, "is very severe, and justly so, upon the objectionable character of the correspondence lately carried on in the columns of that journal. While making every allowance for the exciting state of things through the district, and _ its _ organ being youthful, the writer maintains that the correspondence column in the Mail does

neither the paper nor the district credit, nor is it calculated to raise either in the estimation of those at a distance. We trust ‘ Reform’s’ suggestions will be'productive of appreciable results, in an improved Style of Writing being adopted.” In conclusion, sir, I would ask you to consider carefully the point at issue, viz. —whether you take the advice of “ Reformation,” or that given by me. No great objection would be taken to a stab in the dark, but a continuance of. it becomes unbearable.

I shall not again trouble you on this subject, for I think enough has been said. —I am, &c., REFORM. —— HAW ERA SUNDAY SCHOOLS. (To the Editor of the Patea Mail.] Sir, —I have no desire to enter into a religious war, although “Another” is evidently 'pugnaciously inclined, but We will call ‘it the Union School for the future, My aim is to love all creeds, and I am ever pleased to hear, and am not ashamed or jealous at seeing recorded in the broad light of day, the progress and extension of any branch of Christ’s Church; and, moreover, as far as in me lies, seek to support the various services, when practicable, by my presence and means, no matter where held.

For the awful crime of which 1 stand accused, viz., the statement “ That the Union School had been discontinued, and that it was to be reorganized,” &c., my plea is that the late Superintendent of the school told me such was the case. We ought not bide our true colors under a bush-Miothmg is gained by such modesty, “ Another’s ” jealous venture as a teacher, reminds one most forcibly of that brother with a mote in his own eye. And in conclusion, by way of advice, I would say unto him, consider well “ the beam that is in thine own eye.”—l am,&c. RESIDENT. Hawera, October 17tb, 1877.