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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1311, 19 April 1883, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Commenting on the letter signed “Justice,” in the “Herald" of the 13th inst., I will pass over the bid taste and want of etiquette displayed in not replying to my letter through the same medium in which it appeared, as you have done bo, so much more ably, and will merely endorse your opinion as to its author, it requires no great penetration, as you can easily recognise the sire by the bantling. It has all the father’s characteristics, prevarication, impotence, and inanity, and would not trouble myself to answer it, were it not to point out to the ratepayers that this very letter in its weakness proves the statements contained in mine. “Justice" says I wrote through spleen. Even suppose I did (which I distinctly deny) that wrnuld net alter facts ; they still remain, no matter what feeling brought them out, and they are either true or false. I dealt with the acts of a public man, and have either aspersed an innocent or unmasked a venal one. There is nothing further in “Justice’s" letter pertinent to the statements at issue, until he says I eer in stating that the Chairman used these words, “ That the contractor would make good any deficiency in his contract.” I say I do not eer. I say the Chairman did say so, and called in the contractor to endorse his state ment, which he did, and is now at work “ making good the deficiencies” which is another proof I did not squeak without a cause. Now this man signs his letter “Justice.” Why that is the very article I am trying to find. I say let the Board and its Chairman have justice by all means. Let the ratepayers inquire into the matter at the annual meeting, and let them—give a verdict according to the evidence. But this man don’t want justice, he wants nothing but to be left alone ; he doesn’t want to be bothered with troublesome customers, who ask questions and pry into things, and call into question the acts of that august body the Ormond Road Board. He has not been used to it, and deems enquiry an impertinence ; he likes the apathetic ratepayer who pays his rates and don't bother. My Dear Friends, there is an old proverb which I have seen somewhere, that says, “ If the little birds did not hatch young cuckoos, they would not have to worry the old ones.” And if we took more pains to elect good men and true to places of trust, we should not so often have the unpleasant task of calling them to account for their peccadilloes. In conclusion I will tender this bit of advice to “Justice.” Either deny my statements distinctly, if you can, or, otherwise, cry “ pecoavi |’ T and have done with it; own up and do not prevaricate, for its wonderful how denial magnifies a fault.—Yours, etc., George Davis. Ormond Valley, April 17th, 1883.