CORRESPONDENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 57, 2 November 1878, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

Wo nro always willing to give insertion to letters of explanation or interest, but wo wish it to bo distinctly understood that wo do not endorse the opinions expressed, or language used, by our correspondents. Our ideas of passing events will be found in our local or editorial columns. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sin,—Will you allow me to say a word in reference to the “Suum Cuique” discussion. I, as an old official, object to the name of Mr. Swanston being dragged into a public discussion. As Acting British Consul his acts are public property; its Mr. Swanstou bis acts are personal, and for which acts, I have no doubt, ho is prepared to answer personally. As an official ho cannot defend himself in print, but I have no doubt be can satisfy his superiors. I am, &c., My Army.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sill, —\our very egotistical correspondent, “I'air Play,’ in the issue of the Samoa Times of October 2Ulh, calmly, ami with the assurance born of ignorance, endeavours to demolish my poor self. He pitches into my I’s and we’s as if he was the most accomplished grammarian extant, and for his gratification I will state that / wrote fhusly in order that ice should muddle such feeble brains as his. He says that / discovered “ at the last moment, a cut and dried set of laws for the guidance of the Taimua and Faipule themselves.” If ho would rend my communication in answer to ” Suum Clique's ” tirade of virtuous indignation against tho British Consul’s action, he would find 1 did no such thing. I merely suggested that if “ Suum Caique ” had taken the trouble, or had the inclination to investigate this matter further he would have discovered this fact. “fair Play” rent urea to donv the above .statement as “ false in every particular,” and magnanimously adds that he doesn’t want to call hard names. Now I am puzzled to conceive what authority he has for denying it. Docs he mean to insinuate that he was cognisant of all that was transpiring in this matter at the time ? That he was behind the scenes as it were, or in the ring? Is ho positive that no such “ Protocol ” existed ? Or is ho like that pious old brother, who, though zealous, and regular in his amen responses, sometimes fell asleep durin-' service and who on ono occasion, waking up suddenly, and being uncertain whether it was at the close of the prayer or the sermon, eased his conscience by exclaiming “ amen at a venture.” “ Where ignorance is bliss,” <Sc. i hat which was charged by me in ray reply to “ Suum C’uiquo ” is true in every particular, “ Fair Play’s ” ventursomc denial to tho contrary notwithstanding. And I will furthermore state that the “ Tainuitt and Faipule” never initiated this matter of tin.- liquor traffic. But they Mere requested to meet the Consuls on the subject. As to who tho proposed secretary to thus Triumvirate is, i am confident “ Fair Play ” needs no cnlightenmunt, as he seems to be so well posted in this little scheme. He also says that ray remarks wore “ impertinent insult to both tho German and American Consuls.” Certainly he ought to know that the Consuls being public officers, their acts are liable to criticism, and also that ho is not such a Chesterfield as he fondly imagines ho is, to sot himself up us authority in polite ness, or polite literature. I agree with I 1 air Play ’ that it is a grave charge, hut it is not without proof. .My humble opinion on this matter is, that those laws in relation to tho liquor traffic, and every other law, should emanate from the Samoan Government to whom the Csiisiilh are accredited, and it is (lieu for (lit Consuls to cuter (heir pro-1

tests or abide by the said laws. More ctfocUHj is this the ease with the American <' ( msul, who is representing a nation , which has an existing treaty with the ', Sanioan Goverumeut. "Fair Play" becomes quite facetious! when he approaches the "three Kings." : That idea certainly must have tickled bis I f fancy. Probably that is the reason why he did not like tho royal "we"-coming from an outsider. Ah! " Fair l'lay." '' A barren title hast thou bought too dear. Why didst thou not toll me thou weit a King." Let me whisper, friend, to you : —Thy wit is stale ; thou art incapable of enlivening the arid waste of thine own platitudes with a single ray of pleasantry, and naturally thou foelest alarmed at any departure from the dullness in which thou loveliest. ' " Requicscat in pace." Yours, &.C., St:t: 'em Quick.

■ TO Tilt: EDITOR OK THE SAMOA TIMES. Sm—Please allow mo space in your valuable paper to answer “Fair Play” in regard to the opinions he expressed in your last week's issue concerning the “ Reader of the Samoa Times.” I am sorry that it sounded so harshly on “ Fair Play’s” ears to find, as he expressed it, an alleged American citizen make such an able defence for an Englishman at the expense of his own ■ representative, and assumed Americans must defend him. Now, Mr. “ Fair Play,” I should like you to explain those ambiguous sarcasms such as “ alleged” and “ assumed” Americans. What sort of tish are they I “ Fair Play” wishes to impress it on the ' " Reader of the Samoa Times,” and the | public that he is writing in defence of Ids own representative and country ; but it is too obvious in that able article in [ last week's issue that he is writing on behalf of “ Suum Cuique.” I have no doubt “ Fair Play” thinks himself highly honoured by being a big representative of that gentleman. By the tenor of “ Fair Plaj'V’ article ■ as a whole, I leave it to the public to guess whether or not “ Fair Play” has : imbibed pretty considerable of Starkey's i lemon syrup, with probably a few sticks to flavour it with, and become so enrap- ■ tured with “Suum Cuique” as to forget ! his own nationality, and have a very dull , comprehension of my article in your • issue of the 19th ultimo, I am, ,Vc., A Reader of the Samoa Times. Ist November, IS7B.

TO THE EDITOR OK THE SAMOA TIMES. Sir, —“ Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread.” Your correspondent “ Fair Play” • rushe-s into the “ deadly and imminent , breach,” not in <lisproof of the allegations , contained in the letters in defence of H. It. M. Acting Consul’s action with regard : to the liquor protocol, which appeared in ■ your issue of the 19th Oct., but armed i with a denial of every assertion contained . in those letters. > It. is highly probable that, as denial pure and simple is to some people an easy matter; had more been asserted more ■ would have been denied. • The narrow, cliquish spirit which • would carp at an honest expression of • approval by an American of an ad of a i British representative is certainly that of ! all others which should bo decried and [ censure i t-u- ' rly contemptible. Such sentiments are perhaps worthy of (ho writer and of the inspiror of the produc- ■ tion, hut are entirely inconsistent with that position of an exponent of public • opinion, which ‘ Fair Play” would fain ■ arrogate to himself. Let Fair Play" at once understand ■ that,—his denial notwithstanding,—the ■ allegation made hy “Fiat Juslitia” is i correct, and that the mild coercion which he endeavoured to exercise with respect • to the pro Suction of evidence us to the i Secretaryship, &c., is “ too thin” to he ■ worthy of attention. ; As to what 1 thought of his remarks , as to what he calls my “ impertinent assumption of superiority,”—Bah 1 “ Ask of the winds that far away ’ With fragments strewed the sea.” 1 am. A:o,, Fiat Justitia.