ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 562, 17 September 1866, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

WE DO NOT IDENTIFY OITBSELVES HT ANT "WAY WITH THE OPESTIOHS EXPRESSED BY OOTS COEEESPOIfDENTS. 4 (TO THE EDITOE O5 1 THE SOTJTHIiAinj TIMES.) Sib, — A copy of the Southland News (a journal to -which I do not now subscribe), containing what purports to be a reply to some remarks of mine, that appeared in your journal of 28th August, under the signature of " Eesident, " has been shown to me. It appears the writer is rather wrathy, and abuses me right and left for my presuming to give expression to a feeling of fairness being introduced into the discussion of the public acts of the Grovernment ; and is also pleased to inquire how my banking account stands, and how many acres I possess unshackled. I may assure " Eesident " that both my acres and my banking account are free, and amply sufficient for my wants. But "Eesident" evidently misunderstands the tenor of my former remarks, or wilfully misinterprets them. Let anyone calmly review the course of recent events, and he must feel convinced that the most cowardly means have been adopted to cast odium on the Grovernment. They have been accused of crimes they never committed — such as never were perpretrated by any Government in Southland — and every unworthy motive it was possible to invent has been imputed to the gentlemen who form the Executive — who sacrifice a great deal of their time without the slightest remuneration, to look after the public interests of the Province. I think every right-minded man will agree with me in saying that the productions which have recently appeared in the columns of the Southland News is a great disgrace in an intelligent community, and it is to be regretted that those who have the management of that once well- conducted journal do not adopt a different course to the one pursued at present. I was a resident here before Separation from Otago was obtained, and I well know the boon to the community the News was on its first starting. Wisely and temperately conducted, it gave offence to none, and was a credit to the Province. But now the most unwarrantable productions and vile insinuations of wrong-doing on the part of every successive Grovernment that has taken office during the last twelve . months, although without a particle of truth to substantiate them, are hailed with delight and readily inserted in that newspaper. It is only a few months since I received a letter from a friend of mine in the North, who had been a resident here at one time, who wondered how it was that the press had degenerated so much pince he left, and

pointed out the bad effects that was likely to arise by the circulation of all kinds of ua founded rumors beyond the Province. When I last wrote it was to fche discontented class — persons who delight to make everything appear as bad as their own evil minds ; who heap contumely upon the heads of all those seeking the advancement of their adopted home, and who seek to array class against class, when all should be united, in order to advance their own selfish and ambitious ends, j It is to this class, who are unfortunately ] aided by a newspaper devoted to the propragation of their doctrine, I more immediately allude. I remain, Sir, your obe- } dient servant, A COTJNTBTMAN. 1 Waikivi, Sept. 10th, 1866.