PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 6 March 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Answers thereto, are invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district. Names of writers need not be Printed^ A COMPLAINT. I was scandalised by hearing a report that a member of the Patea Borough Council was so drunk in Hawera last week that he had to be carried to bed on a man’s back', as helpless as a log. While wondering what this could mean, I was going along Patea on Saturday when I nearly collided .against a Borough Councillor who was reeling drunk, I said to myself, “This must be the hero from Hawera.” I have since learnt it was that same. I am in this dilemma, that at the election W'bf Councillors I gave a vote to the very man 1 am now ashamed to own as a Patea Councillor. I cannot take the vote back, but I feel it a duty to protest against this disgraceful public exhibition. Patea Ratepayer.

FORCIBLE ENTRY—A Grave Case. I met the custodian of the cemetery on Sunday, and I don’t believe any newspaper would have reported what he said, though I do know one paper that does .not stick at trifles. A tract, or. Sunday-school book, would be out of it altogether. On asking

the cause of all this strong talk, I was informed that some porson, instead of going to the custodian and asking for the key, had made a forcible entry into the Mortuary, damaging both the door and the lock. Now that is too bad, you know. Ij’was compelled myself to admit it was too bad ; but I quieted the custodian by informing him that I thought the fellow who did it was on his way to dinner and had not time to ask the proper person for the key. Also that by breaking open the door, he has made himself liable to a penalty of twenty pounds. Tire custodian seemed easy at once, lit his pipe, and bid good day to your humble servant, Growler.