CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 435, 9 December 1876, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

IHTTEBS TO THE EDITOR.

High Living. Sib. —In spite of increasing hard-npness, I see it is the intention, of jtlie bakers to levy black mail on us—the butchers having already “ put us through.” Now, by going into the comparison of prices current here, with those current elsewhere, I beg to state, that meat in Auckland is cheaper than it is hern and that at the Thames, where they hare to import every ounce they eat, Beef runs from 3d to ojd, mutton legs 4jd breast .11 shoulders 3jd, and lamb 2s to 3s per quarter. Then take the item of bread, which in Auckland is cheap, as against the last imposition of 2d here, and 9d at Christchurch. I would remark that the motto of our local tradesmen would appear to be “large profits and slow returns,” (I presume they will complain , they have the latter in profusion) but can- - not they see that by perpetuating such high prices they help to frighten people away from the place and so restrict their trade? I refer principally to the cost of living. If Poverty Bay be known as the dearest place in New Zealand, such a re. putation will lead intending immigrants to choose some other spot to go to. If, on the other hand, the place be noted for cheap living, would not that fact alone, where an immigrant is of two minds, cause him to decide in our favour? Will Mr Broomhall choose his lands adjacent to the dearest markets ? I trow not.—l am &c., Prudence.

Sib, —There arc in all places, a class of people who take a certain amount of pleasure in using their slanderous member in giving dastardly stabs in the dark, and I find Poverty Bay is not exempt from the general rule. Some evil disposed persons have set afloat a report that the Hibernian Society, is a Fenian Society in disguise, if it was, I for one should not join it. Now, in order to stamp out this base assertion, any respectable person desirous of witnessing our proceedings will be admitted. I was present at the opening ceremony of the Good Templars’ Hall at Ormond, when the Rev. Mr Root said that some people did not like to join the Templars on account of it being a secret society. In order to give a good colouring to the cause he was upholding, he said the Good Templars was no more a secret society than the Oddfellows or Hibernians.

Sir, this sort of thing tends to mislead the public. I thought to treat the assertion with the contempt it but I find it is gaining credence; generally speaking people place implicit reliance on what a clerical gentleman says, but he overstepped the boundary of his knowledge on that occasion. Our next meeting will be held on the 14th of this month for the installation of officers, and initiation of members, at which members of the Press are welcome to be present. We are not a secret society ; we have no signs or pass words ; we are no more than we profess to be, merely a benefit society. Catholics are not allowed to join secret societies, which was the reason for establishing the H. A. C. B. Society. This is not written in a spirit of discord to any society, but to contradict a slander. —I am, &c., Frederick Keating. Ormond, Dec. 4, 1876.