The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1887. MR TRIPP'S LETTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1620, 13 August 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1887. MR TRIPP'S LETTER.

Its another column will be found a letter written by Mr C. G. Tripp, of Orari Gorge. He does not mince matters ; be leaves no one in doubt as to his opinions with regard to the preuent election. He is an out-and-out supporter of the present Govern-' ment, and his great desire is to see the Government strong enough to be able to carry out a policy of Protection. How unlike the great majority of his class is Mr Tripp in politics as well as in private life. He is one of the largest landowners, as well as being one of the largest runholders, in South Canterbury, yet we believe that no man eyer begrudged him his possessions. Mr H. J. Sealey, perhaps the severest critic of large landowners we have had in Sou ! h Canterbury, says in his book published some years ago:— "As typical examples of .squatting under its most beneficial aspect, I might mention Mount Peel and the Orari Gorge we see large tracts of rugged mountains country, only a very •mall portion of cultivation, held by the decendants landed families of Ebgland, who have been trained up in the traditions of the duties and responsibilities! of proprietorship, which have been thns defined by the celebrated Dr Johnson, " a man of family and estate onght to consider himself as having charge of a district, over which he is to diffuse civility and happiness." You sea scattered around the bead station" little comfortable .cottages, each with its neat gard»n, and upon enquiry you find that th» married shepherds ; ploughmen, gardeners, and others live in these and bring up their families in' comfort. At Mount Peel Stßtion there is a hand Home little stone church, built by the proprietor, in which every Sunday the men with their wives and children assemble for worship, service being held at intervals by a regular clergyman, and at other times by a layraader. On both of theae stations the proprietors themselves reside permanently, having large families and households, so that the evils of absenteeism are avoided, and the children brought up in (he country acquire a patriotic love for their native land,*

No no does begrudge Mr Tripp his possessions, for we believe that we are right in saying that every penny he has ever made out of his estate has been spent in improvements. His profits have thus passed out of his hands into the pockets of his workmen, to whom he has always been liberal and kind. No one has ever heard of Mr Tripp combining with others to cut down wages, and we feel certain the Kaffir importers of Amuri will receive very little sympathy or support from him. He is not one of those who has derived immense benefits from the Public Works Policy, yet he is not afraid of bearing his share of the burden which that policy has placed on the shoulders of the people of this colony. He is not fright-ned that he will have to pay a littie more for his goods because of protection being given to local indus'ries. True to his generous instincts his uppermost thought appears to be to give the people employment. He hns been to England recently, yet he has not returned " shuddering " at the presence of Sir I Julius Yogel in Parliament. He believes his policy thoroughly sound, but he has spoiled it all in refusing to come forward at the present juncture. We admit that Mr Rolleston was a good man. His land policy was the only redeeming feature of the HallAtkinson party; he is the only member of that Government; who showed sympathy with the people, but he aeema to be boupd body and soul to

that party now, and has shown great unwillingness to leave them. Mr Rolleston is a good man gone wrong, and there is no means of setting him right except by keeping him out of Parliament for the next three years. Mr Tripp would therefore dp a service to Mr Rolleston and to the colony "by coming forward for the Rangitata seat. If Mr Rolleston were kept out of the House for three years he could come out at the next election as a new man, quite independent of parties, and then be at liberty to take the side to which his instincts would guide him. He is not at liberty now; he is •hackled, and we believe that, if the truth were known, there are few more anxious to see him free from the thraldom of Major Atkinson than he is himself. His speeches are cries of despair; there is nothing in them but agonising screams, that seem to say " All is lost." His abuse of Mr Bal- ! lance is unreal; he has had to resort to the tactics of abusing the other side, which is said to 'be the only defence left when one'b case is bad. A true friend of Mr Rolleston would be he who would come to his rescue and sare him now from further association ( with the Atkinson party.; If.this were done we might see him again'a Minister of the Crown, but so long as he continues to keep the society he has been keeping lately there is very little hope for him. Tor Mr. Rblleston's sake, and for the sake of the colony, Mr Tripp ought to accept the invitation of the electors of Rangitata.