Correspondence.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3955, 1 September 1881, Page 2

Correspondence.

Thejo columns are open to all correspondence of public interest, but we do not hold ourselves resnonsible for iue opinions of writers. Correspondence must in all •;ases be authenticated by the real name and address of the writer—not necessarily for publication, but.as' a guarantee ol good faith.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.)

Sib, —I see that some one signing himself " Another Good Templar" takes exception to ray letter in Friday's issue. I was lamenting then that Mr Speight had not some friend to take him by the hand. If " Another Good Teniplar " is to bo taken as a specimen of his friends, Mr Speight might well exclaim, " Ged preserve me from them!" Mark the strange inconsistency of his letter. He says: "It is a pity that there is not more men iv the community, who, like Mr Speight, is fearless in expressing his honest convictions, even though he should have to run the gauntlet of public opinion," and then threatens "Good Templar " with expulsion from the Lodge —for what P Exactly what be has been, admiring mMr Speight: " expressing an honest conviction." I should like to inform " Another Good Templar " (or any other Good Templar) that I do not mean to bo threatened out of expressing my "honest convictions " when I consider it necessary for the good of the community at large. " Another Good Templar ' seems to think that when I wrote I was away from home, 'as he winds up his letter by 6*yiug, "Go liuiue, Good Tew-

plar," &c. I beg to inform him that I was at horn" when I wrote the letter (doing the work of a good Samaritan), though it is quite evident he was considerably abroad (at all events in his grammar) when he wrote his. One word of advice to this misguided youth—-he must be young, or he wouldn't be so joolish—and then I hare done with him: Leave these discussions between brothers ?o: the Lodge-room, where I shall be most happy to answer any questions, and express the same opinions any night we may both be there. Now, Mr Editor, I think you will agree with me that the time has come for putting all party feeling aside, and it behoves every voter to think well before he pledges himself to any candidate, and 1 think you will further agree with me that, after the next general election, those gentlemen chosen by the people to represent them will hare more power for good or . evil in their hands than any previous Assembly in New Zealand, for there;..can be no doubt that the great land question must be settled then, viz., whether every man is to have his portion of land, or whether it is to be held by the few, and we mufct at 'all hazards have good and true men to represent us, men with minds of their own (which even Mr Speight's Nearest friend cannot accuse him of having). \However, it is hardly worth while taking up any more of your valuable space discussiug Mr Speight, as there is not very much chance of his ever ornamenting the House again-—useful he never wai.rI am, &c, . Good Templab.

(To the Editor of the Evknikg Stab.) Sib,—l,should like to know if it is right for the Borough Council to allow all the refuse of the town (consisting of decayed vegetables, fruit, &c.,) to be tipped at the back of the Council Cham* bers. The stench arising from the above is unbearable; and now that the scarlet, fever is about, I think that the abore should be looked to.—l am, &c, :' , Hawkshaw. September Ist, 1881. . ' .