HEDGEHOPE AGAIN.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 21, 19 August 1893, Page 5

HEDGEHOPE AGAIN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Your correspondent has a wain dabbled his pen in fantastic ink—this time, no doubt, duly impressed with the idea that he has given me what The bad boy got who did not know his lessons —a severe rap on the knuckles. Perhaps it will be as well to let him indulge in his own conceits. I would recommend him to do with his article what the cowboy did with the turnips the old cow could not break —“ cut it up into small pieces,” and contribute it to the fun and fancy column, in which it would be more appropriate. He seems not to consider me amodel. I hardly think he would say the sama about himself.’ It has pleased him to compare me with the words of the poet —“ Men’s faults do seldom to themselves appear,” He is altogether too generous in dealing out these comparisons. I wonder did ever the old selfish rule reflect on his memory — Pirst myself and then my neighbour. The Hon. G.F.R., or New Zealand's representative (his own constituency being only a secondary consideration), will need all his ability and tact, together with the flattery of your correspondent, to carry him victorious through next election if it be the gentleman the Hedgehoppers made their select at last general election should contest the Mataura electorate again. Your coxrespondent has led himself to believe I am the young men of Hedgehope’s chosen leader. Oh, my! what an honour he is bestowing on me. If he has seen as many Christmas mornings as I have (which I doubt) he would be inclined to give up that sort of thing and let the young men choose someone to correspond better with their own years. Nine-tenths of the Hedgehope are of Celtic origin, are they? Well, if he knows the proper definition of the word Celtic, which I doubt, he must be trying to have a lark with us, but of which I am afraid he bears the whole expense. I suppose he is of this precious descent himself, but unfortunately (as he would be pleased to think) I cannot boast of such a grand ancestry, though if I could likely I would be proud of it. He speaks of my whip. Well, if the correspondence had not been declared closed, I would have asked him not to beat such a distant track, but to speak out plain, as I like plain talk. He seems curious to know if ever I read; well yes, Ido a little, but perhaps of not too grand a quality, and the public press forms a part of rny reading, your own amongst the rest, and naturally my eye wanders to the name of my own district, coupled with a “ Pot Boiler ” or a “ Rejoinder,” and I must confess they are not the sort of reading material for one in my years —they would suit better for the young or someone in their teens. My last has surely impressed his mind when it brought such reflections to him as the story of the Londoner. The Rev. Mr Kelly, apart from being highly respected as a minister, was my personal friend, but why bubble and whine after he is gone. Surely it is enough to know that he is doing good whereever he is. There is as good fish in the sea as ever was caught. Your correspondent should admit his mistake and say nothing more about it. As a parting advice, if such will be accepted, he has recommended me to Hr Sullivan’s grammar. If he purnses this volume with only ordinary intellect (as I would say he does, or rather thinks he does, possess a little more than the average of this gift of nature), when we cross pens again he will be able to compose his article in smaller space —less wash and more grit. I will take the honour to sign my new name, H.C.R. [’Huff sed on both sides. Let us have some district news, and you will earn the gratitude of both editor and readers.— Ed, S,C.]