The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881.

Temuka Leader, Issue 356, 19 February 1881, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1881.

The literary champion of North Canterbury has. again fallen out with his dwarfish brother who commands the capital of South Canterbury, the result being an ebullition of temper on both sides. The refined language used on this occasion must be exceedingly lefresbing to. the roughs- who have been, for a without a sign from these teachers of manners. The- cause .of the quarrel referred to. was found in the way the Eleven Australian handled the Christchurch wielders of the willows. It seems the Australians, took a fancy for a little sport at Wanganui in a way that the Christchurch oracle chose to interpret as earnest play. The Herald’, on the other hand, ever elated at anything that tends to humble any town larger than Timaru, could not conceal the- pleasure- it derived from seeing Christchurch got such a beating. This we could allow to pass as another instance of- our Timaru, contem porary’s vanity,, but when these educators of the people choose to make use of such refined language we cannot help, exclaiming, ‘ Save us from such teachers.’ It is really marvellous how our learned friends —as they, of' course expect us to, term them —can discover their nakedness, on such trifling provocation. Our contem- . porary in Timaru is excusable—the disease in his, case has become quite chronic. As wHI look for a real diamond it}, a coal heap, as look for refined language from the teacher of South Canterbury. It really is a pity, though, that men who claim to be- considered guides to others should so readily show their hands on the least trifling provocation. Colonials, everyone is aware, are a little fast in most things, but whon a man is educated it is expected of him that he can not only produce a good piece of composition, but that his general deportment will be in keeping with the production. As, however, it often happens with a minister of the gospel, the good he does by an eloquent, earnest address,from the pulpit., is often destroyed by some inconsistent conduct out of it. So with our contemporaries. It is all very good for them to try to teach men patience and forbearance, but when they make sucli fiery attacks upon one another, and use such, low slang as they often do, it must degrade the Press of New Zealand in the eyes of our friends at homo- What, for instance, could any respectable family in England think of the people of: New Zealand after taking up and reading the Lyttelton Times and Timaru Herald, and going over the particulars of this quarrel, and studying the elevating language in which the different sentences are expressed. Seriously, it is humiliating to be compelled to have to read such garbage as so often emanates from these two fiery orators of North and SoutlrCanterbury. Libel takes hold of a man for saying anything that will injure another man in his business or outward estate, but, we regret to say, it takes no hold of this sickening, moral-destroying draught that the public has to swallow a'x times a week.. Could there be no special legislation for the benefit of these two uncomfortable citizens who fill the air bo often with the smoke of their abominations. If they cannot bridle their own tongues, some means should be put in operation for having- it done for them and not allow the public atmosphere to be contaminated bo often by such filthy breath.