" VETUS."

Southland Times, Issue 559, 12 September 1866, Page 2

" VETUS."

(to the editob of the southland times.) Sir, — A. remarkably long letter, signed " Yefcus," appeared in the columns of your contemporary on the lOfch inst. I also noticed that the usual Monday morning's soul-stirring leader was omitted, no doubt, owing to pressure of advertisements, or other satisfactory cause, in order to make room for the important production of " Vetus." I think it will be generally admitted that in this enlightened age the art of " puffery " is well understood, and widely practised. Tou need only take up an English or colonial newspaper to convince yourself that "Dv Barry's Revelenta " is the most efficacious and economical health-restorer. It will' cure a bad leg of sixty years standing with the greatest ease — in one night in fact. Then you have the extraordinary cure of a cough — something wonderful — by the aid of the " Balsam of Aniseed ; " and the reader is cautioned above all things to be

careful about the address, otherwise the most serious consequences may follow. Then, again, you will find occasionally, on looking over the columns of the "London Times," a sham case brought before the Court of Chancery, praying for an injunction to protect the true and genuine signature of some monster quack, who tells the pitiful tale of the loss of so many thousand pounds by his trade mark b.-ing feloniously copied. This whs for a long time about one of the best putfs a qu:u'k could have. The public naturally were deceived by the astonishing number of complaints cured by the aid of the patent '• Pai a- killer," which of course was intended to be elicited on, the trial. I could tell you, Sir, of a great many cases of a similar nature, of the fabulous amounts which Holloway is accused of spending in advertising hi 3 Pills and Ointment, but the latest piece of unmitigated puffing is reserved for the genius, writing in the "Southland News," under the Dame of " Vetus." Inspired, no doubt, by the 'latest of Barnum's American editions on the art of • ! puft-vr," h^ thus writes .— " The " Southland News "^deserves the greatest, commendation for publishing opinions that would never h.ive been admitted in the other paper ; and it is one bright spot in the dark gloom of Southland that thei*e is one unshackled newspaper whore tlie, opinions of the million can be ventilated. Free discussion and free writing in the press can never harm truth. Truth must prevail ; and if falsehood is written or told, it always comes to nought." I fancy I can see the "Southland News," alluded to as the bright spot, wifh its leading article illuminated by (he latest improvement of the electric light, presented at the annual gathering of the Royal Society, as a New Zealand curiosity ; and the interesting discourse that might follow, taken in connection with the fossil remains of the Moa, would, no doubt, be read with interest by the savans of Europe. I fancy that I see you sir, lending your noble intellect, as Mr Harvey would say, to the base acquisition of filthy lucre. I fafticy I see i you assuming the proportions of a horrid bird of prey, ready to devour the choicest tit-bits of the poor dove Southland, I can almost fancy that another ravenous old bird, the Treasurer, satiated and gorged to. repletion with young and tender nestlings, offeiing to divide the spoil with the Editor of the " Southland News." But I cannot realise the look of indignant scorn, or the flush of wounded pride that would mantle the thoughtful literary brow of the Editor as he disdainfully repels the tempting lure. No ; I caunot do justice to the remarks which I anticipate he wo^uld make ; addressing the old vulture he would say, — " A vaunt, ancient and wicked bird, offer me not your gold or your jewels, because I am pure and honest. I have never sought a t'avor from you, and well you know it, nor will I now sully my virtuous name or moral standing in society, by rondescending to receive your gifts. Keep them, proud old bird, for t'ot'ier chap in t'other paper. I'se a patriot, and a model man." " Poor and ragged though I be," I still can exclaim, in the language of the poet — I came to town, To win high renown, But no money could I get ; I stayed in town, With one old gown, Abusing all I met. I have been led into making the above remarks from reading the tirade of slang and abuse poured upon the Grovernment, Mr Harvey, the Railway Engineer, the Contractors, M.v Blacklock, and, as " Vetus " chastely expresses it, " and any other man." There is not a single argument from beginning to end. Abuse, abuse, abuse, is the motto of " Vetus," while the -name of the Deity is flippantly and censurably introduced. The writer evidently despairs of making capital out of the " apethetic public " in a political sense, and groans in the agony of spirit that all his " blatherskite," (I use his own words), is thrown away for nothing. Mb Bello.