ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 403, 26 February 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[AVe are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents.] {To the Editor of the Pate A' Mail. Sir, —I noticed in your issue of Saturday last a spiteful effusion Headed, “ Rather a sell,” and signed “ Observer,” charging those who did their level best towards making the Sunday School picnic a success, with actually robbing the children who were there. Such a letter, which I can only characterise as a tissue of malicious falsehoods; should not, Tthink, be allowed to pass uhcontradicted and I- therefore trust that you will allow me to state the facts of the case.The gentleman who gave the dance to a few friends in the evening had placed his paddock, from which be- had purposely taken the , stock, af the disposal of the Sunday School Committee; be had cut

away the long grass under the trees for their convenience ; had taken over pots and kettles for their tea; had nearly stripped his orchard of peaches, and his dairy of cream,foivthem ; had sunk a Well the day before' that they might get water without trouble, and done everything in bis power to help the thing on ; while his wife had been engaged dining a great part of tiie previous day in cooking “ viands ” for both the picnic and the dance.

Now, at the former there were present about 180 children and 5.0 or 60 adults ; and us it Was noticed by some of the ladies who were helping to look after the arrangements that, after dinner, the children were Wasting-the good things provided, several of them put aside what was left in their own baskets , in order that the supply might not run short at tea time. il Observer," who was probably looking out for No. 1, and who evidently bad not been asked to the dance, must have noticed this, and seized the opportunity of giving colouring to such mean and false charges. . If Tam not much mistaken, “ Observer" was one of the very few who came early, but unprovided with cither basket or “ viands,” though quite prepared for the cheap feed which such an one, whom it would be gross flattery to stigmatise as a miserable skunk, is known to delight in.— I anf, &c.,-. FIAT JUSTICIA. Waverley,-24th Feb., 1879. STEAMBOAT business. {To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —I think the Patea steamboats (as well as reducing freights) should be more punctual in forwarding goods. On Tuesday, 11th instant, four cases of goods arrived at Patea by the Clyde, consigned to me. By repeated consultations with the carriers, I received two cases on Thursday, 20th instant. The other cases, being covered up with grass seed, are not to hand yet. I have heard nothing from the agent about the cases,-and am'obliged to the Mail for publishing the manifest, otherwise I should be ignorant of their arrival in Patea. —I am, &c., IMPORTER. Hawera.-Feb.' 24, 1879.