CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 227, 2 December 1874, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our columns are open for free discussion; but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents.]

“ GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME &c.”

letters to the editor. Sir, —The reason for the persistent ill treatment of this place, by the powers that be, has been hitherto a puzzle; but I think I have hit on it at last. It is nothing more nor less than its damnatory name : and now you and others will exclaim “ Why is it we did’nt think of this before. Don’t you see that all its elements of success ; an enterprising and determined population, and ample scope for them, are not able to contend against its wretched name. The place is figuratively chained up like the dog in the proverb, and may be hanged for all our paternal and maternal governments will do. It would be no use for them to do anything in the face of the stigma of “ Poverty ” which the settlers seem to be content should abide over them. Old Cook, like ourselves, either found it hard to get fish from the abundance in the Bay or there was a monoply of the meat market (rats) under a similar state of plenty, and so, leaving with a touch of dyspepsia, or incipient scurvy, maligned this fair land in 1 is peevishness. Historical associations connected with his cookery can’t reconcile me at least to the misnomer ; nor can anyone say that the name is looked on at a distance as quasi lucus a non though we ourselves know that, we have a” plethora of many good things—e,g hotels, ministers, weather, &c. Again the name (which I repeat as seldom as possible) will always in such a case as the complimentary dinner to Captain Burch, place the gentleman responding to the toast of the evening in an awkward position, as, if. instead of the round-a-bout “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Poverty Bay District” he should (as analogy would dictate to him) say “ Ladies and Gentlemen, paupers ” not at the same time time alluding to the present dearth of well it need’nt go any further—he might reasonably be held to be out of order, Now, would it not be a nice compliment and b fit opportunity, that the first home

vessel trading in the Bay and amply disproving the slanderous and in jurious designation, should be entitled to remove the incubus. Every year will make the already difficult attempt more difficult; but haiUes of places have been, and are being, changed ; and an appropriate title, emanating in the way I suggest, will gradually force its way to recognition. . The name Gisborne is I think also objectionable though an improvement; there is a town of that name in Australia, and the Maori es pronounce Gisborne Chisbunce the same a-s they do sixpence, and that is not far removed from Poverty.

As this may betaken either in joke or earnest, it might be acted on either spiritedly after the dinner to Captain Burch or with dignity, pomp, and circumstance by our Corporate &c., Short for “ Inhabitant of the Poverty Bay District.” ‘ P.S.— Even the initials of the Name are unfortunate as indicating resulting Poverty. A poor poet of my acquaintance, a short time ago could not, for personal reasons, publish his effusion, as his metre- required that in stating his regret at leaving this, he should write “ and I love thee my dear P. 8.” [advertisement.] SUNDAY EXCURSION. Sir, —I should be much obliged if you would give publicity to the fact that the steam launch Lily did not make any excursion trips to the Queen Bee on Sunday last. The advertisement, to that effect in Standard having been inserted entirely without my authority.;—Yours, &c., A. Graham.