PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 26 January 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contribulions, Letters, Inquiries and Answers thereto, arc invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Paten district. Names of writers need not be Printed.

EARLY CLOSING . I am sorry to see in this thriving little township a growing desire on the part of business men to keep their shops open till very late hours of the night, thus debarring themselves and their employees of the few hours’ recreation they stand so much in need of. Now that the town is on a fair way to prosperity, this would be a good time to establish recognised hours of business ; and, as has been proved in other towns, if (he business men will but pull together they will find their returns none the less, and their lives far more enjoyable by closing at an earlier hour—say six p.m., except on Saturdays. They would then be able to devote a proper time to recreation and family duties. Trusting some influential townsman will take the matter in hand, I remain, &c.,’ A New Arrival.

A SWEET EXAMPLE. The following is published as a sufficient punishment to the writer : Sir, —Referring to your local in Saturday night’s issue, I can only say that the insinuation contained therein relative to myself and the Patea Steam Shipping Company is well worthy of youself. I should decidedly recommend you to write no more Articles commenting upon the “ disgraceful conduct ” of others - and “casting slurs and insinuations ” at individual persons, for the Mail has never, until your Proprietorship of it, contained such scurrilous articles as those written by your own hand. You are, unquestionably, the neplus ultra of low tone. Relative to my connection with the Patea Steam Shipping Company,—l shall be most happy if you will publish any facts of my relation therewith in the largest type your Establishment contains. Since you published my last letter in a garbled form I would request that you would be more careful in the printing of this one • D. M. Harris.