ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 16, 14 December 1863, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE DO NOT HOLD OURSELVES 11ESPONSIIU.E FOB THR OPINIONS EXFKBSSEO 11Y O[TB COUHESPONDENTS. (To the Editor of the Invcrcargill Times.) Slit— l am aware that in addressing you, I run the risk of being thought presumptuous, because I am a poor man, and live in Dee street. There may, however, be a difference of opinion on that subject.* I am told you will publish in your " Open Column " anything not libellous, and I will endeavor to keep you clear of an action for damages with as much caution as I have exercised throughout life to keep lny own neck from the baiter. By this time you will be getting anxious t) know what I am driving at, and you shall not be kept long waiting. It has always been my opinion that in civilised communities, each individual should, to a certain extent, go upon his "own hook," and at the same time, keep an " eye" about him. That eye, Sir, I have always kept '• lifting," as the sailors say, and it has enabled me to oi servo tliiifc tlie citlasens of tlie good town of Invoveargill have apparently a horror of combined action on several important points. Their own private business, I must admit, they can look after pretty sharply ; but the mention of Fire Brigades, Town Boird Heelings, Acclimatisation Societies, and a variety of other little matters too numerous to particularise, is enough down here to make a conversation flag, and, in some cases, to cause friends to give each other the cold shoulder. I feel compelled to say that this is a disgraceful state of things in a British settlement, and should be ramelied as soon as possible. Communities have their vices as well as individuals, and assuredly this apathy on most matters relating to the commonwealth is a vice. I do not yet despair of seeing an improvement in this respect, and to make a bad pun and encourage my fellowtownsmen at the same time, let them remember, that, though a bad habit is got rid of with difficulty, a virtue once thoroughly attained grasps with a hold as tijjht as a vyce. After that, sir. I am almost ashamed to subscribe myself, Barometek. [*We are rather puzzled to know why our correspondent runs the risk of being thought presumptuous. Is it because he is a poor man, or because he lives in Dee-street, or because he has addressed his letter to us? As he very justly remarks, " there may bo a difference of opinion on that subject." — Ed, I. T.]