ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 14, 9 December 1863, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE DO NOT HOJiD OTJIISELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPINIONS EXPUBBSEO BY OVU COItRE9PON»ENTB.

(To tlie Editor oftlie Invercargill Times. )

Sik,— l address yr.u.desirine to give publicity to a fact acknowledged by the Government, and by the Government officials hero, but unknown or probably treated aa false, by the majority of the.' residents in this province. My attention was drawn to the question, by an atticlein the Southland Nezbs, in which, in announcing the probabiiity of Stewart's Island being annexed — there was a very clover statement of reasons advocating the necessity of a survey of that island at once. I fully agree with the writer of that article hi such necessity, but I would certainly insist, had I the power, that it should b& after the rest of the old Province has been surveyed. It is a fact Sir, that, there is about one-third of this Province, viz. — the North- West part bordering ou the Waiaw and Te Anau Lake,— over which, not only have we no survey, but actually no officers in this Government have ever seen it. Tiie public no doubt imagine that the Provincial Surveyor Las been all over the country; in fact, that he must have travel 'e Ito enable him to give a correct opinion relative to the merits of diffrent lines for roads or railways. Now, Sir, this ia the fact which I wish to bringprominently beforetue public. That the North "West part of this Provide has never been surveyed, unless partially, lately, by Mr M'Kerrow, employ d by the Otago Government. That neither the Provincial Surveyor, Provincial Engineer, nor ony of their Staff, have ever travelled through that part of the Province, lhat it is utterly unknown by all the members of the existing Government — and, I need not add, that consequently its existence is utterly ignored. That there is no Map, nor any pretence of a Map of this district. I am, as I said, Sir, fully of opinion that Stewart's Island should Jbe surveyed as soon as we are certain it belongs to the Province ; but, I am sure, when it is known that our Province, as it at present exists, has not yet been fully surveyed, public opinion will force on what public officers have hitherto neglected. 1 am, Sir, Your obedient servant. Backwoodsman. Invcrcargill, Bth December, 1863. ■ • • (To the Editor of the Invercargill limes.) Sir, — Your remarks relative to the apathy generally displayed by the public, in purely publicquestions, is applicable to some extent to the efforts that have been aiado to establish in this town a Volunteer Fire Brigade, but not to the extent that you would make it appear by your article on December 7th. You say — " We frequently hear of meetings of the Volunteer Fire Brigade Committee, but up to the present time we have seen no definite or practical result of their deliberations." It is. then, your own fault, as all meetings of the Brigade have boon open to your reporter ; and lam certain that the Secretary of the Brigade, or the Secretary to the Finance Committee*, would, at anytime, be rearly to give you any information. S > far as the " practical results of their deliberations are concerned, they have done nil they can for the present. in lorming themselves inlo a '• hook ani ladder company," and have orderid the necessary api'liiiuees from Melbourne. Your suggestions relative to canvassing the public for subscriptions have already been noted on tn some extent, nor have the Insurance Companies been behind in this mate; and I am informed that a much larger amount can be wised when it is required. I do not atjree with you that " the lown Board should take some stops," &c. It is a concentration of public duties not at all desirable; and, indeed, I thiuk you have already shown that they have now in hand moie than tLey can properly j manage. If they provide an engine and house, and place it under the control of a volunteer brigade, they will do ftir tetter than attempt to establish another brigade. There is a duty fulls upon the leading tradesmen of the town, beyond their donation to establish, or annual subscriptions to nmintain a brigade, which is to enrol themselves as working members, and lfend a hand to establish the matter on a good footing. TLe press would likewise do well to countenance the efforts already made, rather than cultivate a fi d-fault spirit with those who are at woik. I am, Sir, &c, VOJJUHTEEH. Invorcargill, Bth Dec, 18C3. [Our correspondent's disagreement with US, as to (he mode ot assistance to be given by the Town B-iard, is simply an acquiescence in our suggestion. The only assistance which we could mean that the Board should aflbrc', was either in the way refer-n-d toby "Volunteer," or by a grant of money for the same purpose. "VVe are. sorry, if, as our correspondent infers, our remarks about "no practical results " of the movement being yet apparent, have offended either Volunteer, or any of his brother Volunteers ; but still we think if the c mmittee would accept some others of our sup* gesiions, in » he same kindly spirit in which they were ottered, and convene a public meeting, nnd canvns« the town for support, either for members or money, we would see more practical results. — E '. I. T.]

(To the Editor of the Invercargill Times.)

Sir— l am unaware if you, personally, are a member of the Fire Brigade, but undoubtedly you will use every endeavor to promote the efficiency of that body. The affair of last night has horrors connected with it which one cannot write about, and which cannot be known, truly known, except by eye witnesses. I ask you, Sir, to l>t the members of the brigade know what they might have done this morning if they had bfe:i efficient; they might have saved not only \ roperfy, but human life — a woman from a horrible death. Let us meet— let us drill and beenn c efficient Let m do our work when wanted, and cease to be a sh:m.

Yours, &c, Esse

Invercargill-, Bth December, 1863